PITTSBURG -- Lamine Dieng scored 12 of his team-leading 18 points in the first half as Pittsburg State University built a commanding lead en route to an 82-66 victory over Newman University in the Gorillas home opener Tuesday (Dec. 2) at John Lance Arena.

Dieng, who missed Pitt State's first three games due to injury, made nine of 11 shots from the field and added a game-high nine rebounds and three blocked shots in 22 minutes of action. He helped the Gorillas (3-4) start fast, building a 10-2 lead, and never look back against the Jets (2-2).

Pitt State extended its margin to 15, 35-20, at the break as the Gorillas made 14 of 30 (.467) shots from the floor in the opening period, while holding Newman to 6 of 28 (.214) shooting.

Dakota Jones' layup extended the Gorillas edge to 25 points, 54-29, with 9:58 to play in the second half. Newman battled back to close within 15, at 58-43, with 6:40 to go, but the Jets could get no closer than 14 the rest of the way.

Devon Branch (15), Josiah Gustafson (14) and Jones (12) also scored in double figures for the Gorillas, while Trevor Gregory finished with nine points. Branch added a team-leading eight assists, while Javis Flynn chipped in with five points and seven assists.

Reggie Baker scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Jets. Jeremy Espinoza added 15 points, while Cortrael Colbert finished with 10 for Newman.