JOPLIN, Mo. — The Pittsburg State University men's basketball team overcame a slow start to speed past Missouri Southern State University for a 95-82 victory Wednesday (Feb. 16) at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.
 
The Gorillas (7-18, 6-13 MIAA) fell behind 13-2 out of the gate, but Pitt State chipped away and took a 31-30 lead on R.J. Lawrence's 3-pointer with 5:19 to play in the first half.
 
The Gorillas outscored the Lions (13-11, 10-8 MIAA), 28-5, over the final 8:21 of the first half to turn a 30-20 deficit into a 48-35 halftime advantage.
 
MSSU never got any closer than 10 points of Pitt State in the second half. The Gorillas ballooned their margin as large as 25 points, 72-47, with 9:05 to play in the game.
 
Magic Reliford scored a season high 24 points to lead the Gorillas. Reliford made seven of 14 shots from the floor, including five of nine 3-point field goal attempts. R.J. Lawrence added a career-high 21 points, while Tyler Hawkins added a season best 18 points as well.
 
The Gorillas made 28 of 59 shots from the floor (.475) and Pitt State converted 28 of 32 free throw attempts. The Gorillas outscored the Lions, 28-7, at the charity stripe.
 
Lawson Jenkins (24), Stan Scott (15) and Wade Dessesow (13) all scored in double figures for MSSU, which shot 43.8 percent from the field in the game (32-73).
 
Pitt State head coach Kim Anderson coached in his 600^th career game in the contest, earning win No. 364 in defeating the Lions.
 
The two squads will face one another again Saturday (Feb. 19) when Pitt State plays host to MSSU at 3:30 p.m. at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.