When Corey Washington was a freshman at Saint Peter’s, he didn’t attempt a single 3-pointer, lacking both the confidence and the skill to shoot from the perimeter. Fast forward two years, and it’s incredible to see the transformation. On Monday, he confidently took and made a contested 3-pointer in the last two minutes of a tied game, helping Wichita State secure a 70-66 victory over Monmouth. This moment highlighted both his growth as a player and the dedication he has shown to improving his game. “It’s something I practice every day,” Washington said. “I was just ready to take the shot.”
Standing 6-foot-5 and hailing from Little Rock, Arkansas, Washington has steadily improved his outside shooting. After not attempting any 3-pointers his freshman year, he shot 30.8% from beyond the arc last season, making 24 of 78 attempts. Committed to honing his skills, he spent the summer and fall working hard on his shooting at Koch Arena. This season, his efforts have paid off, as he’s made 5 of 8 shots from deep, with the most crucial one coming with just 1:37 left in the game.
WSU head coach Paul Mills praised Washington’s readiness, saying, “We tell him to catch the ball with the mindset of shooting.” Washington proved this when he quickly got his shot off over a strong contest from Monmouth’s Madison Durr, sinking it to the delight of the crowd after the Shockers had struggled all night, missing 13 of their first 14 attempts from long range. The arena erupted when the shot went in, and Washington capped off the game with a two-handed dunk on a fast break, leading the team to a perfect 4-0 start.
Although Washington ended the game with a team-high 20 points, it was a bittersweet performance. He missed several easy shots and committed five turnovers. Wichita State had its roughest shooting night of the season, struggling to hit free throws against a defense that had been among the weakest in the nation. They suffered through extended scoring droughts, even going nearly 11 minutes without a field goal during the first half.
To complicate matters, WSU was missing key players due to injuries. Center Quincy Ballard was a late scratch due to an ankle issue, leaving Matej Bosnjak as the sole healthy center. Adding to the challenge, senior forward Ronnie DeGray III injured his wrist and played limited minutes. Despite these setbacks, WSU allowed Monmouth to dominate the boards and secure offensive rebounds.
When the Shockers found themselves in a tight match against a struggling opponent, Mills relied on experienced players. The lineup of Justin Hill, Xavier Bell, Harlond Beverly, Washington, and Bosnjak played the final minutes together, outscoring Monmouth 22-14 and completing a comeback. “We played our best when we needed it the most,” Mills said. The crowd played a huge role in boosting the team’s resolve, leading to a hard-fought victory.
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