By: Josh Goldfine

In one split-second, the AfterShocks’ TBT fortunes shifted. 

Needing a stop and a basket to advance, the AfterShocks’ Markis McDuffie stole the ball and fed it to Conner Frankamp, whose game-winning layup sent the Wichita State home crowd into a frenzy following a 76-73 comeback win over the Omaha Blue Crew. The come-from-behind win sent the AfterShocks to the Round of 16 for the first time.

“The final five seconds were maybe the craziest that I’ve been part of, and I’ve played a lot of basketball,” said AfterShocks guard Conner Frankamp.

“The game was so intense,” said McDuffie. “I wanted to be the best that I could be defensively. The desperation was crazy.”

Frankamp wasn’t surprised by McDuffie’s defensive heroics.

“Markis is maybe the best defender I’ve seen,” said Frankamp, who went 10-for-15 from the field and finished with a team-high 24 points in the win for the AfterShocks, who finished the back-and-forth contest on a 7-0 run. 

“It’s probably the most excited I’ve ever been winning a game here (at Wichita’s Koch Arena),” said Frankamp. “We don’t want this week to end.”