GREENVILLE, N.C. - Kenyon Giles and TJ Williams powered Wichita State to a 92-89 double overtime win at East Carolina Wednesday night in Minges Coliseum.

Wichita State (17-10, 9-5) improved to 3-1 in overtime games this season, tying the school record for overtime games in a single season. It marked the first time with two double overtime games in a season since 1962-63.

Williams poured in a career-high 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting and eight rebounds, including the go-ahead basket in the final minute of double OT. Giles recorded his 13th 20-point game behind 24 points, including two game-tying shots to force OT and double OT.

The win also kept Wichita State firmly in the hunt for a top-2 seed in the American Conference Championship.

The American Conference leading scorer, Jordan Riley, did all he could to lead the Pirates, dropping 40 points, but needed 37 shots to get there.

The Shockers struck first when Emmanuel Okorafor converted a turnover into an early hook shot, setting the tone for a physical night inside. East Carolina responded quickly and built a 13-6 lead midway through the half behind hot shooting from Riley and Isaiah Mbeng.

Wichita State countered with a defensive surge and transition offense. A Giles fast-break three tied the game at 19-19, and a Boyd dunk off a steal pushed the Shockers ahead. Williams' second-chance layup gave Wichita State its largest first-half lead at 33-26 with 3:53 remaining.

The Pirates closed the half on a mini run, but Williams knocked down two free throws in the final seconds to send Wichita State into the locker room with a 37-33 edge.

Riley took over after the break, scoring repeatedly off pull-ups and drives as the Pirates erased the deficit. Riley's scoring burst fueled a 10-2 stretch that tied the game at 41-41 and later gave ECU a 46-44 advantage.

The teams traded blows throughout the second half. Wichita State answered with timely buckets from Karon Boyd and Will Berg, while Riley continued to carry the Pirates. 

Wichita State trailed by four with only 18 seconds left in regulation, but Giles came through in the clutch, draining a three-pointer from the left wing and drawing a foul. After sinking the free throw, the Shockers held on the defensive end to send the game to overtime tied at 69.

Facing defeat again at the end of overtime, Giles again delivered in the clutch. Wichita State trailed by two with 5 seconds left and ECU with possession. The Shockers forced a turnover on the inbounds pass that found its way to Giles at the elbow. He immediately picked up the ball and put up a contest jumper that splashed through the net, tying the game at 78.

In the decisive second overtime, Wichita State's depth and inside scoring proved decisive. The Shockers trailed for all but the final 22 seconds after Williams put them in front for good on a driving layup and foul. Two Giles free throws pushed it to a three-point lead with 15 seconds left and the Shockers clamped down on the defensive end to seal the win.

Up Next 
Wichita State returns home to face Temple on Saturday for Champions Weekend and Mike Kennedy Night.