PITTSBURG -- Elijah Gaines hit a driving basket with two seconds to play to break a 63-63 tie and lift the Pittsburg State University men's basketball team to a 65-63 victory over Missouri Western State University Saturday (Feb. 18) at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.

The win helped Pitt State improve to 5-20 overall and 3-14 in MIAA play, while Wester dropped to 7-19 overall and 3-14 in the MIAA.

The Gorillas and Griffons battled in a seesaw game that featured 14 ties. Pitt State trailed 56-51 with 6:26 remaining before rallying down the stretch.

Western's Aaron Emmanuel made two free throws with 20 seconds remaining to knot the score at 63-63, after Pitt State's Brandon Clifford made a pair of charity shots with 56 ticks remaining for a 63-61 edge.

Isaiah Hicks scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds to pace the Gorillas, while Gaines added 10 points. Clifford also chipped in with 13.

T.J. Evans scored a game-high 19 points to lead the Griffons.

Pitt State will return to action Tuesday (Feb. 21) when the Gorillas host MIAA rival Missouri Southern State University at 7:30 p.m.