ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- The Pitt State men's basketball team put together an outstanding second half, including a huge defensive stand to start the second half of play, to earn its second consecutive win over a Lion team on Saturday evening (January 21). The Gorillas topped the Lindenwood Lions, 70-66.

Pitt State committed only five turnovers in the game, while forcing 16 Lion turnovers. Pitt State made 50 percent of its shots from three (5-of-10) and 84 percent of its charity shots (11-of-13), which all came in the second half.  

After trailing by double figures in the first half, Pitt State scored the first seven of the second half to take a 36-34 lead with just over 17 minutes to go. The Gorilla defense just kept clicking, as they did not allow Lindenwood to score until the 13:19 mark.

At 12:44 a foul was called on the Lions' Sam Mader, along with a technical on Cory Arentsen. Trey Starks hit all four free throws to extend the lead to eight. Starks continued his run with a layup and a jumper to give the team a 46-34 lead, topping the largest lead by the Lions from the first half.

Lindenwood started a slow comeback, led by some hot shooting from Arentsen. The Gorillas were able to answer though, as Dakota Jones poured in a quick 10 points from 8:45 to 5:53.

A short 7-0 run by Lindenwood tied the game at 58-58 with 3:05 to go. Denton Hays put the Gorilla ahead again with a layup, but Arentsen quickly answered with a three for the Lions' first lead since 17:15.

Jones stepped up again and gave the Gorillas back their lead, 62-61, with two minutes remaining. Neither team scored again until a Hays tip-in with 33 seconds left. Josiah Gustafson added two free throws to increase the lead to five. The teams traded free throws, giving Pitt State a five-point lead with 10 seconds remaining.

Lindenwood threw the ball in and found LJ McIntosh in the corner. He sunk a three to cut the Gorilla lead to two with six seconds to go. Three seconds later Gustafson was fouled again. Again he stepped up and hit both his charity shots to seal the 70-66 win.

Gustafson led the Gorillas with 21 points and five rebounds. He was 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Hays and Jones each scored 15. Jones was 3-for-4 from long range. Hays had three blocks in the game. Starks added 12 points off the bench. He was 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Javis Flynn did not score, but led Pitt State with four assists and two steals.

Arentsen led all players with 27 points. He made five threes in the game.

The Gorillas have now won three of their last four games. They are now 10-8 on the season and 5-7 in MIAA play. The team looks to continue their recent improvement on Saturday (Jan. 23) as they travel to Jefferson City, Mo. for a 3:30 p.m. meeting with the Lincoln Blue Tigers.