The Wichita State Shockers fell short in their comeback attempt, losing to Tulsa 83-79 in the NIT quarterfinals. The defeat concludes their season with a 24-12 record, their best since 2018, under head coach Paul Mills. The game marked a historic four-match series against Tulsa, ending in a 2-2 tie. Star player Kenyon Giles ended his career with 12 points, setting multiple single-season records for three-pointers. Despite a late rally, the Shockers struggled early and could not maintain their lead in the final moments.

By the Numbers
  • Wichita State shot 37.5% from the field, including a season-worst 10.5% (2-of-19) from three-point range.
  • The Shockers converted 93.5% (29-for-31) of their free throws, a season-best.
  • Wichita State rallied from a 24-point deficit (30-6) to take a two-point lead in the second half.
Yes, But

Despite the impressive comeback, the Shockers' inability to defend against Tulsa's perimeter shooting ultimately cost them the game. Tulsa's strong start and consistent execution in crunch time were critical to their victory.

State of Play
  • The Shockers' season ends with a notable improvement in win totals under coach Paul Mills.
  • Kenyon Giles finished his career with various single-season records in scoring and three-point shooting.
What's Next

Looking ahead, Wichita State will likely aim to build on this season鈥檚 success by recruiting and developing talent to continue their upward trajectory. The team will focus on addressing defensive issues that were highlighted in their final game.

Bottom Line

Wichita State's near-comeback and record-setting performances underscore the potential of the team moving forward, but their late-game execution and defense must improve for future success. Key players will need to step up as the Shockers look to enhance their program further next season.