EDMOND, Okla. -- The Pitt State men's basketball team (13-8, 9-4 MIAA) lost a frustrating 82-65 game at Central Oklahoma (15-8, 8-6 MIAA) on Saturday (Feb. 7). 

There were 53 fouls called in the game and 71 free throws shot. Both teams shot 80 percent from the line.The Gorillas struggled shotting overall, shooting only 33.3 percent from the floor, while the Bronchos shot 53.5 percent.

Devon Branch and Trey Starks led the Gorillas with 13 points a piece. Starks scored all of his points in the second half. Javis Flynn led the team with 6 rebounds and three assists.

Pitt State could score no more than three consecutive points in the first half, while the Bronchos went on several small runs, but that wasn't the difference in the first half. Central Oklahoma went to the free throw line 23 times, making 20 charity shots, to lead the Gorillas 48-31 at the half. Pitt State did not hit a shot from the floor in the last six minutes of the half, but did score 10 points off free throws during that time, eight by Branch.

The same continued early in the second half. There were 13 fouls called in the first five minutes between the two teams. Pitt State did not hit its first shot from the floor until a Starks dunk with 14:37 remaining. It was the first career points for Starks as a Gorilla. That dunk started a bit of momentum for Pitt State, but the Bronchos responded and were able to stretch the lead to over 20 again with 9:43 to go. The rest of the game would follow in much the same matter, resulting in the Gorilla loss.

The Gorillas will return to John Lance Arena for the next four games. The home stand begins on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. against Nebraska-Kearney.