The RoundHouse | 11/18/2024 10:22:00 PM
By Paul Suellentrop
Corey Washington did not take a three-pointer in 2022-23 while starting 24 games for Saint Peter’s.
Two seasons later, he is the player the Shockers absolutely want rising up for a crucial shot in Monday’s game against Monmouth, a 70-66 win at Koch Arena.
“It’s stuff I work on every day,” Washington said. “It just goes into all the work I’ve put in. Ready to make the shot.”
Washington’s three was fairly routine for a basketball player, but the situation was not.
The Shockers (4-0) stumbled through most of the game due to poor shooting and gave a significant underdog hope. Washington’s three-pointer with 1:39 to play snapped a streak of 11 misses behind the arc. It swished to give WSU a 62-59 lead and start a 9-3 run that cooled off upset dreams of Monmouth (0-5).
Washington got his open shot because guard Justin Hill drove into the lane and pitched the ball out to him. Washington caught it ready to shoot and did not hesitate. While WSU’s cold shooting weighed on the minds of fans, the previous collection of in-and-outs, too hard, short and not close did not weigh on him.
“We use the term ‘catch to shoot,'” Mills said. “You’ve got to catch the ball thinking shot. To his credit, he’s got ball in the air, feet in the air the second that ball hits his hand. He’s loaded.”
COREY WASHINGTON FOR THREE! pic.twitter.com/4uzGTvffgj
— Wichita State Men’s Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) November 19, 2024
The Shockers survived the miserable shooting night (2 of 15 from three, 20 of 31 from the line) because, like Washington, they possessed the experience and maturity to ignore that frustration. The Shockers talked all summer about their veteran presence with eight returners and nine team members listed as seniors or graduate students.
It’s a group that has seen everything from NCAA Tournaments to injury to struggles. While Monday’s game looked like disaster looming, the Shockers stayed calm. WSU played without center Quincy Ballard, out with a sprained ankle. Forward Ronnie DeGray III missed most of the game after falling on his hand during a drive to the basket.
Monmouth got a boost with the forward Jaret Valencia, a second-team All-Coastal Athletic Association preseason pick, back after missing the first three games.
“We stayed together,” Beverly said. “Everybody that got in the game today has a lot of experience. That plays a huge role when you’re closing out games. We all know what it takes to win. We grinded out a win.”
The Shockers ignored the shooting problems, the missed foul shots and whistles that frustrated them.
The Hawks refused to fold in the second half when WSU cut deficits to two points (36-34), three points (45-42) and one point (45-44). Each time they built it back.
A dunk by Washington, on a pass from Hill, finally flipped things with WSU up 56-54. Washington followed his three with a basket off a turnover for a 64-59 lead. Another Hawks turnover led to two fouls shots by Matej Bosnjak and a 66-59 lead with 36.9 seconds to play.
Xavier Bell, who finished 8 of 8 from the line, made four straight free throws to hold off the Hawks.
The win gives the Shockers plenty to think about before Friday’s game against Saint Louis at Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center. From there, the Shockers play Minnesota and either Florida or Wake Forest in the ESPN Events Invitational in Kissimmee, Fla.
Mills talked about the need to play tougher, finish shots and improve rebounding. All those issues and more will tested over the final weeks of November.
DUCE DUNK FOR THE LEAD!@corey_duceduce pic.twitter.com/f2GGB8Qw8l
— Wichita State Men’s Basketball (@GoShockersMBB) November 19, 2024
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)