FORT WORTH, Texas — A competitive encounter at the American Athletic Conference Tournament saw Wichita State triumph over South Florida with a score of 73-68 on Thursday. Corey Washington was instrumental for the Shockers, contributing 21 points to secure the win.
Looking ahead, Wichita State will face a formidable challenge as they gear up to take on the No. 1 seed and 16th-ranked Memphis on Friday, marking the start of the quarterfinal round.
Washington not only displayed his scoring prowess with 21 points but also dominated the boards, collecting nine rebounds for Wichita State, who improved their record to 19-13. Meanwhile, his teammate Bijan Cortes showcased his accuracy by scoring 20 points while hitting 8 of 12 shots from the field and making a perfect 3 for 3 from the foul line. Cortes also contributed by handing out seven assists.
On the South Florida side, Jayden Reid led the team with 19 points. Kobe Knox made significant contributions with 15 points, nine rebounds, and demonstrated defensive grit with four steals. Brandon Stroud also played a crucial role, adding 10 points and securing seven rebounds.
Washington was particularly influential during the first half, notching up 13 points that helped Wichita State secure a 38-28 advantage at halftime. In the second half, Cortes continued to step up, adding nine more points to steer the team to victory.
