PITTSBURG — Three Pittsburg State University men's basketball players – Josiah Gustafson, Trey Starks and Denton Hays – combined for 68 points as the Gorillas rolled to a 95-73 home victory over Missouri Western State University Wednesday (Jan. 27) at John Lance Arena.

Gustafson scored a game-high 24 points on seven of nine shooting from the field to lead Pitt State (11-9, 6-8 MIAA). Starks added 23 points, including 12 of 13 shooting from the free throw line; and Hays posted career highs of 21 points and 12 rebounds to register his first career double-double against Western (6-14, 4-10 MIAA).

All told, the Gorillas shot 55.8 percent from the field for the game, making 29 of 52 shots. Pitt State also converted 29 of 33 attemtps from the free throw line as the Gorillas outscored the Griffons, 29-15, at the charity stripe.

Dakota Jones added 12 points for the Gorillas, while Jaxon Holden finished with eight.

The Griffons, who shot just 39.7 percent from the floor in the game (25 of 63), got a team-leading 20 points from Trey Sampson. Aaron Emmanuel (15) and Xavier Newson (11) also finished in double figures.

Pitt State will return to action Saturday (Jan. 30) when the Gorillas host MIAA leading Northwest Missouri State University at 3:30 p.m. The Bearcats (14-5, 11-3 MIAA) claimed a 76-75 home win over Missouri Southern State University Wednesday.