HAYS, Kan. -- The Pittsburg State men's basketball team (11-7, 7-3 MIAA) played strong defense for most of the game and hit crucial free throws down the stretch, leading to a 69-64 win over Fort Hays State (12-7, 5-5 MIAA) in Gross Memorial Coliseum on Saturday (Jan. 24).
Neither team led by more than four in the second half and it was not decided until the final minutes. Josiah Gustafson hit two free throws with 3:30 left to give the Gorillas a one-point lead, their first since the 14:54 mark. Devon Branch gave the Gorillas a four-point lead as he made a layup and was fouled and hit the ensuing free throw. Two possessions later Achoki Moikobu hit a layup for the Tigers to cut the Pitt State lead to two. A minute ticked by without a score until Branch went to the line again and dropped in two charity shots with 32 seconds to go.
The Tigers answered immediately on the other end with a three by Royce WIlliams. As Javis Flynn crossed the half court line, Coach Muff called the Gorillas last time out. Gustafson was fouled on the inbounds play and hit his final free throws of the night to put the Gorillas up three, 67-64 with 15 seconds to go. Moikobu attempted a three at the other end, but it rimmed off. Flynn grabbed the rebound and pushed the ball to Jones, who was fouled. There was no doubt Jones would hit his charity shots, and they fell in easily, putting the game out of reach for the Tigers with just four seconds to go.
Pitt State was led by Josiah Gustafson with 15 points, including a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe. Connor Kjer added 12, including three threes, and Devon Branch had 11. Javis Flynn and Lamine Dieng were just under double figures with 9 a piece. Flynn led the team with seven assists, All nine of Dieng's points came in the first half.
Williams led all scorers with 18 points. Jeremy Wilson and Moikobu each added nine.
Fort Hays State started the game with four consecutive threes. They built a 10-point, 14-4 lead with 15:48 to go in the opening half. Pitt State then went to work and used an 8-0 run to bring the game within two, 14-12. The Gorilla defense continued to go to work and was able to hold the Tigers to only free throws from 9:37 to 2:52. During that time the Gorillas put up nine points to take a 30-26 lead. The Gorillas largest lead of the game, 28-22, came on a Kjer three with 5:01 to go. Pitt State held onto that lead and went into the lockrroom ahead 34-30 at the half.
The Gorillas will travel to Northeastern State on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. game against the RiverHawks. Saturday the team will play Central Oklahoma at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Saturday's game will be a men's game only with no women's game before.
