WICHITA, Kan. (GoShockers.com) – Wichita State put an end to its three-game losing streak with a 68-59 win over Charlotte Tuesday night in Charles Koch Arena.
In just the second all-time meeting with Charlotte, Wichita State (11-6, 1-3) won with its defense after struggling on that end over the first three games to open conference play. The Shockers held Charlotte to 32.8 percent shooting and 6-of-27 from three-point range.
Corey Washington led all scorers with 16 points and seven rebounds. Harlond Beverly recorded his 1,000th career point in the game, finishing with 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting, five rebounds and four assists. It was his first double digit scoring effort since Dec. 14 at DePaul.
Xavier Bell extended his double figure scoring streak to nine in a row with 10 points. Quincy Ballard pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.
Ronnie DeGray III returned to action for the first time since the Monmouth game on Nov. 18 after missing nearly two months with a fractured wrist. He scored all eight of his points in the second half, while adding two blocks and a steal in 16 minutes.
Wichita State hadn’t led at any point over the last two games against South Florida and UTSA, but led for nearly 36 minutes against the 49ers. The Shockers led by as many as eight in the first half, but could never stretch the lead to double digits. A last second shot from Nik Graves before the halftime buzzer, cut Wichita State’s lead to 31-27.
For much of the first seven minutes to begin the second half, the two teams traded baskets until an AJ McGinnis three-pointer and Justin Hill jumper pushed the lead to 46-37. Following a Charlotte timeout, DeGray rattled in a three-pointer to give Wichita State its largest lead, 49-37.
Back-to-back buckets from Ballard and Beverly pushed the margin to 14 with 6:05 remaining.
One final push from the Niners made the last 2:00 minutes a little uneasy, as they pulled within five behind a 13-4 run.
Leading 62-57 with 1:15 remaining, Wichita State scored the next four points on a pair of Hill free throws and a Beverly breakaway dunk to put the game on ice.
Up Next
Wichita State closes its two-game homestand on Saturday, Jan. 18 vs. East Carolina at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
