EMPORIA, Kan. -- The Pitt State men's basketball team fell to 12-11 overall and 7-10 in MIAA play with a 78-66 loss to Emporia State on Saturday (February 6) night at White Auditorium. 

Josiah Gustafson led the Gorillas with a double-double, 19 points and 10 rebounds. He was 7-of-14 from the floor and 5-of-5 from the charity stripe. He also had a team-high four assists. Denton Hays added 12 points and Javis Flynn, 11. 

The game was back and forth in the early minutes, but Pitt State used an 8-0 run to  take a 24-17 lead on a jumper by Gustafson with 6:23 to go in the first half. However, Emporia State answered with a 10-0 run of their own to go up three, 32-29 with 2:39 to go in the first half. Emporia State was able to stretch that lead to five, but Hays added a layup for the Gorillas with less then a minute left in the half to put Pitt Tate down by only three, 36-33, at the half. 

The Gorillas were able to tie the game again early in the second half, but Emporia took over, using a three by Brandon Hall to take their largest lead of the game, 65-44, with 8:02 remaining. 

Pitt State did go on an 11-0 run to cut the Hornet lead to 10, 67-57, with 2:17 to go, but the team did not have enough steam to come any closer, ending in the 78-66 loss.

Another challenge awaits the Gorilla men on Thursday as Fort Hays State comes to John Lance Arena at 7:30 p.m.Thursday night is Family Night! For those that RSVP for the Family Day event, hosted by PSU Alumni & Constituent Relations, you will get a game ticket, drink, chips, hot dog, cookie and a chance to win one of two bicycles. To register, please visit  http://www.pittstate.edu/alumni.