HAYS, Kan. — The Fort Hays State University men's basketball team used a 20-0 run to take control of the game and eventually pull away for an 83-55 victory over Pittsburg State University Saturday (Jan. 7) at Gross Memorial Coliseum.
 
The Gorillas (5-10, 2-7 MIAA) led 22-19 on Albert McBride's 3-pointer with 8:29 to play in the first half, but Pitt State went cold shooting and the Tigers ran off 18 consecutive points to take a 37-22 lead at the break.
 
FHSU pushed its lead to 39-22 before Pitt State's Deshaun English II ended the long drought with a 3-pointer at the 18:50 mark of the second half.
 
The Gorillas got as close as 14 points of the Tigers three times down the stretch, finally at 53-39 with 13:24 to go before FHSU ballooned the margin down the stretch.
 
Quentin Hardrict Jr. paced the Gorillas with 11 points, while Calvin Poulina added 10 and McBride chipped in with eight. English finished with seven points and a team-leading nine rebounds.
 
FHSU (11-4, 6-3 MIAA) got 15 points apiece from Bjarni Jonsson and Gabe Pieschl, while Elijah Nnanabu (13) and Gilbert Peters (12) also scored in double figures
 
Pitt State will return home to play host to MIAA rival Emporia State University Thursday (Jan. 12) at 7:30 p.m. (CST) at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.