FORT WORTH, Texas – No. 12 Wichita State defeated No. 13 Rice, 88-81, in the first game of the 2024 American Men’s Basketball Championship on Wednesday, March 13 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
With the win, Wichita State (14-18) advances to play No. 5 Memphis in the second round on Thursday, March 14 at 2:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
The Shockers shot 72.4 percent from the field in the first half (21-of-29), a Championship record for field goal percentage in a half. The previous record was 61.3 percent (19-of-31) by UCF against East Carolina in 2015. WSU also made eight 3-pointers in the first half, matching the Championship single-half record last set by UConn in 2015.
Colby Rogers led the Shockers with 22 points on 5-of-9 shooting from 3-point range, while Ron DeGray III added 15 points.
Rice (11-21) started the second half on a tear, making 9-of-11 field goals to come back and take the lead at 64-63. The two teams traded leads until Wichita State took the lead for good with 6:23 remaining on a jumper by DeGray. The Shockers limited Rice to two field goals the rest of the way.
Travis Evee led the Owls with 24 points, while Mekhi Mason recorded 22 points. Max Fiedler recorded eight points, eight rebounds and had 12 assists, matching the Championship single-game record of Elijah Joiner of Tulsa (against Tulane in 2021).
2024 American Men’s Basketball Championship Schedule
Wednesday, March 13
Game 1 – No. 12 Wichita State 88, No. 13 Rice 81
Game 2 – No. 14 UTSA vs. No. 11 Temple – 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT | ESPN+
Thursday, March 14
Game 3 – No. 9 Tulsa vs. No. 8 East Carolina – 12:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. CT | ESPNU
Game 4 – No. 12 Wichita State vs. No. 5 Memphis – 2:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. CT | ESPNU
Game 5 – No. 10 Tulane vs. No. 7 North Texas – 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT | ESPNU
Game 6 – Game 2 winner vs. No. 6 SMU – 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT | ESPNU
Friday, March 15
Game 7 – Game 3 winner vs. No. 1 South Florida – 1 p.m. ET/Noon CT | ESPN2
Game 8 – Game 4 winner vs. No. 4 UAB – 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT | ESPN2
Game 9 – Game 5 winner vs. No. 2 Florida Atlantic – 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT | ESPNU
Game 10 – Game 6 winner vs. No. 3 Charlotte – 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT | ESPNU
Saturday, March 16
Game 11 – Semifinal 1, Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner – 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT | ESPN2
Game 12 – Semifinal 2, Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner – 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT | ESPN2
Sunday, March 17
Game 13 – Championship, Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner – 3:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. CT | ESPN
