Wichita State closed the game on a 7-0 run to defeat Memphis, 88-82, Thursday night at FedExForum, stretching its winning streak to four games.
The Shockers (19-10, 11-5) snapped a seven-game skid in Memphis and completed their first regular-season sweep of the Tigers. Wichita State controlled the paint, outrebounding Memphis 44-27 and scoring 44 points inside.
Kenyon Giles led the way with 22 points, including 19 in the second half and a key three-pointer with 30 seconds left. It marked his fifth straight 20-point game. Five Shockers scored in double figures, highlighted by Karon Boyd’s 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Will Berg’s 12-point, 12-rebound double-double.
Despite shooting just 27.5 percent in the first half, Wichita State took a 40-35 lead into the break by going 16-of-21 at the free throw line. The Shockers then shot 66.7 percent in the second half to hold off Memphis, which briefly grabbed a one-point lead late.
Wichita State responded with composure down the stretch, using late stops and free throws to seal the victory.
The Shockers travel to San Antonio on Sunday to face UTSA at 7 p.m. on KEYN Radio.