PITTSBURG -- Justin Pitts scored a game-high 26 points to lead visiting Northwest Missouri State University to an 81-74 victory over Pittsburg State University Saturday (Jan. 30) at John Lance Arena.

The Gorillas (11-10, 6-9 MIAA) trailed the Bearcats (15-5, 12-3 MIAA) by three points, 64-61, with 3:43 to play in the game, but Northwest used a 6-0 run over the next two minutes to take control down the stretch. The Bearcats made 11 of 12 free throws in the final 1:12 to seal the victory.

Chris-Ebou Ndow added 18 points for the Bearcats, while Conner Crooker finished with 17 points. Northwest shot 54 percent from the floor (27 of 50) for the game; and the Bearcats made 20 of 26 free throws in the contest.

Trey Starks had a team-leading 21 points, while Dakota Jones added 20. Jaxon Holden finished with 13 and Josiah Gustafson chipped in with 11 points.