Ballard Shines as Wichita State Triumphs 84-79 in Overtime Against No. 14 Memphis

In a thrilling matchup, Wichita State upset No. 14 Memphis, winning 84-79 with a strong performance in the second half and overtime. Quincy Ballard played a key role, scoring 14 of his 19 points after halftime.

With just 1:10 left in overtime, Bijan Cortes hit a crucial three-pointer, putting Wichita State ahead 78-77. From that point, they maintained their lead and sealed the victory.

This win marks Wichita State’s fourth consecutive victory and their first against a ranked team in the regular season since 2021. They had five players scoring in double figures, with Corey Washington achieving a double-double of 18 points and 15 rebounds.

For Memphis, this loss ended an eight-game winning streak. Tyrese Hunter was their standout, leading with 24 points. Moussa Cisse also contributed with a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.

The Shockers entered halftime with a 32-28 lead, fueled by a strong run towards the end of the first half. In a tense finish, Ronnie DeGray III tied the game at 71-71 with 18 seconds left, pushing the game into overtime.

Wichita State excelled in rebounding, outdoing Memphis 54-45, and they effectively limited Memphis’s top scorer, PJ Haggerty, to just two first-half points and 14 overall.

Despite shooting just 19% from beyond the arc as a team, Wichita State made the critical shots when it mattered most, especially Cortes’s impactful three-pointer late in overtime.

Wichita State’s next challenge is against Florida Atlantic on Thursday, while Memphis will have a week off before facing the same opponent next Sunday.

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