ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Pittsburg State University men's basketball team used a 17-4 run to start the second half to take control and claim a 70-53 road victory over Missouri Western State University Thursday (Jan. 5) at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

R.J. Pair led a balanced attack for Pitt State (3-10, 1-4 MIAA). Pair scored a season-high 20 points on nine of 13 shooting to pace four Gorillas in double figures. Isaiah Hicks and Creighton Brinker added 13 points apiece and Jaxon Holden chipped in with 10 points.

The Gorillas shot 60.0 percent from the field in the game, making 30 of 50 attempts. Pitt State limited Western to 38.8 percent shooting (19-49).

Seth Bonifas led Western (4-10, 0-5 MIAA) with 14 points while T.J. Evans also scored in double figures with 10.

Pitt State will return to action Saturday (Jan. 7) when the Gorillas travel to Maryville, Mo., to face unbeaten and No. 1 ranked Northwest Missouri State University at 3:30 p.m. (CST) at Bearcat Arena.