PITTSBURG -- The Pittsburg State University men's basketball team dealt Washburn University an historic defeat and the Gorillas climbed into a tie for the lead in the MIAA standings with the victory over the Ichabods Saturday (Jan. 17) coupled with the University of Central Missouri's victory over Northwest Missouri State University.

Josiah Gustafson scored a game-high 23 points to fuel the Pitt State offense in its 82-40 victory over Washburn. Trevor Gregory added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Javis Flynn added 11 points and a game-high seven assists. Devon Branch also chipped in with 10 points, a game-high nine rebounds and four assists.

The Gorillas (10-6, 6-2 MIAA), who climbed into a tie with Lindenwood University (11-6, 6-2 MIAA) atop the conference standings, enjoyed 58.2 percent shooting from the field in the game, going 32 of 55 from the field. Pitt State outrebounded WU, 40-19, in the game, including an 11-5 margin on the offensive glass. The Gorillas also made nine of 15 3-pointers in the contest.

The Ichabods (9-10, 4-4 MIAA) shot just 33.3 percent from the field and managed just 17 second-half points, after trailing 38-23 at halftime. Kyle Wiggins was the lone WU player in double figures with 11 points.

Pitt State posted its largest margin of victory in the 177-game history over the series with Washburn. The Gorillas enjoyed a 41-point win over the Ichabods, 72-31, on Feb. 6, 1943, as well as a 40-point win, 102-62, on Feb. 23, 1963.

The Gorillas and Lions now hold a half-game lead over Northwest Missouri and Central Missouri in the MIAA standings. The Bearcats and Mules both are 6-3 in conference play.

Pitt State, which has posted a 9-2 record since a 1-4 start to the season, will now open a three-game road stretch next Thursday when the Gorillas travel to Kearney, Neb., to face the University of Nebraska-Kearney (9-5, 5-3 MIAA) at 7:30 p.m.