Wichita State's Kenyon Giles stole the show at Charles Koch Arena, scoring 33 points to propel the Shockers to a 78-67 win over North Texas. The victory marked a strong performance by Wichita State, who led by as many as 16 points in the second half. Giles' dominant outing was the difference-maker, as he consistently found ways to score against the North Texas defense.
The first half belonged to Wichita State, who took a 37-27 lead into the break. North Texas struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 36% from the field in the opening 20 minutes. Meanwhile, Giles was unstoppable, scoring 19 points to pace the Shockers. David Terrell Jr. was the lone bright spot for North Texas, scoring 10 points and dishing out 3 assists in the first half.
The second half saw North Texas make a push, cutting the deficit to 7 points with just over 10 minutes remaining. However, Wichita State responded with a 10-2 run, capped off by a Giles three-pointer, to put the game out of reach. Terrell Jr. finished with 21 points and 5 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Shockers' balanced attack. Dillon Battie added 10 points and 9 rebounds for Wichita State, while Karon Boyd chipped in with 9 points and 6 rebounds.
The win was a Quadrant 4 victory for Wichita State, who improved to 13-8 on the season. While it may not be the most impressive win on their resume, it's a reflection of the Shockers' ability to take care of business against inferior opponents. For North Texas, the loss was a Quadrant 2 defeat, which could have implications for their tournament chances. The Mean Green fell to 12-8 on the season, and must regroup before their next outing.
Giles' performance was the story of the game, and it's a big reason why Wichita State was able to come out on top. His 33 points marked a season-high, and he showed why he's one of the top players in the conference. Terrell Jr. also impressed, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Shockers' strong team effort.
The win is a boost to Wichita State's tournament resume, even if it's not a marquee victory. The Shockers still have work to do to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament, but performances like this will certainly help their cause. For North Texas, the loss is a setback, but they still have time to make a push for a tournament bid. As it stands, however, the Mean Green have some ground to make up if they want to be considered a serious contender.