PITTSBURG -- Josiah Gustafson hit a guarded jumper with 7.7 seconds left to lift Pittsburg State University to a 69-67 victory over Northwest Missouri State University Saturday (Dec. 6) at John Lance Arena.

Gustafson's shot helped Pitt State (4-4, 1-0 MIAA) avoid letting a 10-point second-half lead slip away against Northwest (6-2, 1-1 MIAA).

The Gorillas trailed by as many as six points in the first half against the Bearcats, but Pitt State capitalized on a 13-4 run midway through the second half to take a 39-39 game to a 52-43 lead on Connor Kjer's 3-pointer with 10:08 to play.

Three times, Gorillas twice stretched their margin to 10 points, the last at 62-52 on Trevor Gregory's layup with 5:41 remaining.

The Bearcats rallied to get back in it on a 3-pointer by Justin Pitts, a layup by Conner Crooker and a free throw by Pitts to trim the deficit to 62-58 at the 4:39 mark.

Javis Flynn made two free throws to extend Pitt State's lead to 64-58, but the Bearcats scored twice to make it a two-point game and Crooker's 3-pointer eventually tied the game at 65-65 with 2:29 to go.

Dakota Jones missed a driving shot for Pitt State and Pitts attacked the basket for a layup and a 67-65 lead for the Bearcats with 1:53 remaining. Pitt State countered to tie the game on Devon Branch's inside shot with 1:39 remaining.

Zach Schneider missed a 3-pointer for the Bearcats, but Branch turned the ball over with 1:07 to go. The Gorillas then got the ball back after Javis Flynn knocked the ball away from Pitt to give Pitt State possession with 39 seconds to go.

Following Gustafson's go-ahead basket, the Bearcats hustled the ball into the frontcourt but Matt Wallace's jumper was blocked by Branch with two seconds to go and Pitts' desperation jumper at the buzzer was off the mark.

Gustafson and Branch led the Gorillas with 17 points apiece, while Flynn added a season-high 14 points.

Crooker led all scorers with 25 points, while Pitts added 17 for the Bearcats.