James Rojas' torrid start and Jaron Pierre Jr.'s second-half binge weren't to get Wichita State over the hump in an 83-78 loss to Memphis Thursday evening at Charles Koch Arena.
Neither side led by more than seven points in a game that featured 16 lead changes.
The Shockers (14-13, 7-8) fell to 2-6 in American Athletic Conference home games.
Star point guard Kendric Davis returned from a one-game injury absence with 19 points to help Memphis (21-7, 11-4) post its sixth consecutive series win. DeAndre Williams added 18 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.