The RoundHouse | 2/12/2025 9:56:00 PM

By Paul Suellentrop
 
Wichita State won its third straight game on Wednesday. The Shockers didn't look great doing it, but they don't care. They looked good enough in the game's decisive minutes.
 
"We felt like our best would win at the end," forward Harlond Beverly said.
 
The Shockers defeated UTSA 69-64 at Koch Arena with a dominant rebounding performance and accurate foul shooting in the second half. They (14-10, 4-7 American Athletic Conference) also made 7 of 15 three-pointers. They survived 20 turnovers.
 
WSU (14-10, 4-7 American Athletic Conference) led 57-56 with 5:12 to play when it started making plays in a way that reminded Beverly of November and December. The Shockers started the season 8-1 and closed out games with poise and good foul shooting.
 
On Wednesday, they made 13 of 17 foul shots in the second half, 8 of 9 in the final five minutes. They also made winning plays that eluded them during the rough start to conference play.
 
Corey Washington, who finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds, scored off an inbound play for a 57-52 lead. Xavier Bell endured a tough shooting night, but he splashed a crucial three-pointer after the Shockers broke the UTSA press. Bell took a pass near the top of the key, found himself open in the middle of the defense, and didn't hesitate to give the Shockers a 64-57 lead.
 
Quincy Ballard, fatigued by the flu this week, battled through his planned limit of 10 to return for the final 2:18 (he played 14). He blocked a shot by UTSA's Marcus Millender to preserve a three-point lead with 15 seconds to play. Washington dove on the floor for the loose ball and passed to Bell to wrap up the win.
 
 

Runway is clear.@Harlond20 | ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/VdcuPv6rmr

— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) February 13, 2025

 
 
"Quincy made a great play," Washington said. "I was going to make sure we had the ball."
 
Beverly took over the game's final minutes. He scored 11 of his 15 points in the second half. His three-pointer cut UTSA's lead to one point. He scored six of his points in the final five minutes, four of those from the line.
 
The Shockers made those types of play early in the season. Things went awry with losses to Temple, USF and UTSA to open conference play. Double-digit losses to USF and at UTSA particularly stung.
 
"That was as embarrassing a week as I've been a part of," coach Paul Mills said. "That was really tough. It was one of those things they wanted to address. We get to play these guys again. It needs to be different."
 
And now it has. The Shockers moved a bit away from the bottom of the conference and benefit from a home-heavy finish to the regular season. They won at USF – again winning the rebound battle big – and slipped past UTSA.
 
It's helps having forward Ronnie DeGray III back after injury. He missed the first three game of the AAC schedule – 12 total – with a broken hand. The Shockers missed his physical play and steady defense.
 
 

Bank's open late tonight.@TheAJM2 | ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/mAdFgO7sRZ

— Wichita State Men's Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) February 13, 2025

 
 
"That's really how we started the season," Beverly said, pointing to 16 offensive rebounds. "We're finding a way. Having Ronnie back really helps. We're playing really tough basketball now."
 
Mills sees the difference in the rebounding, the urgency to defend shooters (UTSA made 15 of 30 three in the first meeting; 6 of 24 Wednesday) and the attention to the scouting report.
 
"We had to manufacture a win," he said.
 
Winning a fourth straight game will draw more attention. The Shockers play No. 14 Memphis, which defeated WSU 61-53 last month, at 11 a.m. Sunday.
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.