PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University men's basketball team used a 13-0 run midway through the second half to take control and pull away for a 66-54 victory over Avila University Thursday (Dec. 29) at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.

Pitt State (5-7) trailed 48-46 with 10:13 to play in the game, before the Gorillas capitalized on their 13-point scoring burst to take a 59-48 lead on Magic Reliford's floating jumper with 5:39 to go. Avila never got any closer than eight points of Pitt State down the stretch.

Deshaun English II and Quentin Hardrict Jr. paced the Gorillas with 15 points apiece. English posted his sixth double-double of the season by adding a game-high 15 rebounds. R.J. Forney Jr. added nine points and Reliford finished chipped in with eight.

Josh Kilpatrick posted a game high 18 points for the visiting Eagles.

The Gorillas will return to MIAA play Monday (Jan. 2) by traveling to Joplin, Mo., to battle Missouri Southern State University at 7:30 p.m. (CST) at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.