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East Carolina
1/21/2026 | 6:30 P.M.
KEYN 103.7 FM
Jan. 21 (Wed) / 6:30 P.M.
 East Carolina
TAMPA, Fla. — Wichita State survived a back-and-forth American Conference battle and walked out of the Yuengling Center with an 86-85 overtime victory over South Florida on Sunday afternoon.
The Shockers improved to 11-8 overall and 3-3 in league play by outlasting the Bulls in a game that featured 11 lead changes, four ties and a dramatic final five minutes plus overtime. Wichita State bounced back from its worst loss of the season Thursday night at Florida Atlantic with an impressive road win over a South Florida team that was in a tie for first in the league standings.
Kenyon Giles recorded his eighth 20-point game of the season with a game-high 22 points on 5-of-9 three-pointers. Karon Boyd added 17 points and 7 rebounds, going a perfect 6-of-6 at the free throw line. Michael Gray Jr. fouled out on the opening tip of overtime, but added 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Will Berg pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds, including eight on the offensive end.
The Shockers are now 2-1 in overtime games this season – all three coming on the road.
Wichita State seized control early behind efficient shooting and relentless work on the offensive glass. After South Florida struck first with a three, the Shockers responded with a steady run fueled by second-chance opportunities and perimeter shooting. Giles hit multiple threes in the opening 10 minutes, and Gray Jr. added a pair of triples as Wichita State built its largest lead of the half at 27-12Â with 10:07 remaining.
South Florida gradually clawed back, using transition offense and inside scoring to cut into the margin. The Bulls closed the half strong, but Emmanuel Okorafor’s pair of free throws in the final seconds sent Wichita State into the locker room with a 37-36 advantage.
The second half belonged largely to South Florida early, as the Bulls used a 13–0 run in the opening minutes to grab a double-digit lead. Wichita State weathered the storm and answered with timely baskets from Giles and Boyd, while Berg’s offensive rebounding created extra possessions that kept the Shockers within striking distance.
With under two minutes to play, Gray Jr. scored on a driving layup to give Wichita State a one-point lead. South Florida countered at the line, but Gray Jr. answered again with a tough step-back jumper with 41 seconds left to put the Shockers up two. The Bulls tied the game at the free-throw line with 28 seconds remaining, and Wichita State’s final look was blocked, sending the contest to overtime tied at 77-77.
In overtime, neither team led by more than two possessions. Giles opened the period with a clutch three, and Boyd followed with a basket inside to keep the Shockers in front. Wichita State made enough plays defensively down the stretch and survived a final South Florida miss as time expired to secure the 86-85Â victory.
Up Next
Wichita State heads home to face East Carolina on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.