KEARNEY, Neb. — The University of Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team outscored Pittsburg State University 14-2 in the final 2:25 of overtime to claim a 101-89 victory in the MIAA opener for both schools Thursday (Nov. 30).
 
The Gorillas (5-3, 0-1 MIAA) trailed 70-59 with 8:59 to play in regulation, before battling back to knot the score in the waning seconds.
 
Jaxon Holden made one of two free throws with 6.1 seconds remaining to knot the score at 81-81 and force the extra session after UNK's Lane Rorich missed a long 3-pointer at the buzzer.
 
Pitt State scored first in OT and the Gorillas and Lopers were tied 87-87 before UNK (4-5, 1-0 MIAA) pulled away over the final 2:25.
 
Trey Lansman scored a game-high 39 points to lead the Lopers, while Yashua Trent added 24 points. UNK shot 57.1 percent from the floor in the game, making 32 of 56 attempts.
 
Xavier Adams scored a team-leading 25 points for the Gorillas, while Donovan Franklin (14) and Grant Lozoya (13) also scored in double figures.
 
Pitt State will return to action Saturday (Dec. 2) with a 4 p.m. (CST) road game against Fort Hays State University.