PITTSBURG — Bobby Arthur-Williams Jr. and Martin Vogts combined to score 41 second half points as the Pittsburg State University men's basketball team rallied from an 18-point halftime deficit to knock off unbeaten and No. 19 ranked Missouri Western State University, 87-84, Thursday (Dec. 17) at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.

The Gorillas (4-3, 4-3 MIAA) trailed 48-30 at the break after shooting just 25.8 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes of action (8-31), but Pitt State opened the second half on a 15-3 run to whittle the Griffons (4-1, 4-1 MIAA) margin to just six, 51-45 with 14:34 to play in the game.

Western stretched its lead back to 16 points, 76-60, with 7:06 remaining, before Pitt State keyed another 14-2 run to make it a 78-74 game with 4:25 to go.

The Gorillas took their first lead of the game, 85-84, on two free throws by Arthur-Williams Jr. with 27 seconds remaining in the game. After the Griffons' Will Eames missed an inside shot Pitt State's Ike Moore came away with the rebound and advanced the ball to Ryan Pippins, who was fouled and made two free throws with 6.9 ticks left. Western's Q Mays missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer just ahead of the final horn.

Arthur-Williams Jr. finished the game with a game high 23 points and added nine rebounds. He made five of seven shots from the floor and converted 13 of 16 free throw attempts as the Gorillas generated 33 points from the charity stripe in the contest (33-44). Vogts added 20 points – all in the second half – while Pippins and Moore chipped in with 10 points apiece.

The Griffons got 20 points from Tyrell Carroll, 14 from Mays as well as 12 points and 13 rebounds from Eames.

Pitt State is idle until Dec. 31 when the Gorillas host Baker University in an exhibition game at 2 p.m. (CST).