Wichita State asserted its dominance over UNC Charlotte, winning 74-64 at Charles Koch Arena. The Shockers' victory was fueled by a stellar performance from Kenyon Giles, who scored 23 points to lead all players. Dezayne Mingo of Charlotte put up a valiant effort, tallying 24 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack of Wichita State.
The game got off to a tight start, with Wichita State holding a narrow 35-34 lead at halftime. However, the Shockers' offense found its rhythm in the second half, outscoring Charlotte 39-30 to secure the 10-point win. Karon Boyd chipped in with 18 points for Wichita State, while Will Berg added 8 points and 7 rebounds to round out the team's top performers.
CHD Scout had predicted a Wichita State win by 8.5 points, and the Shockers delivered, covering the margin with a 10-point victory. The predicted score of 78-70 was slightly off, but the outcome was spot on. This win marks a crucial Q3 victory for Wichita State, which can only help to bolster their tournament resume.
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For Charlotte, the loss drops them to 13-10 on the season, but the 49ers can take solace in the fact that this was a Q2 game, which still holds value in the eyes of the selection committee. Dezayne Mingo's 24-point effort was a highlight for the 49ers, and he received support from Major Freeman and Arden Conyers, who scored 11 and 10 points, respectively.
As the season wears on, Wichita State's win over Charlotte will be viewed as a solid, if not spectacular, addition to their resume. With a current net ranking of 90, the Shockers are still very much in the tournament conversation. This Q3 win will help to offset some of their earlier losses, and they'll look to build on this momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season.
The implications of this result are clear: Wichita State has taken a step forward in solidifying its tournament chances, while Charlotte must regroup and focus on its upcoming games to stay in the mix. With the Shockers' Q3 win and the 49ers' Q2 loss, both teams will be closely watched as the season enters its final weeks. For now, Wichita State can bask in the glow of a hard-fought victory, one that will undoubtedly look good on their resume come tournament time.