KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Pittsburg State University men's basketball team built a 21-point lead early in the second half and rode that momentum to a tight, one-point win over the University of Sioux Falls Sunday (Nov. 12).

The Gorillas pulled out a 67-66 victory over the Cougars in the final game of the 12-team, 12-game Central Region Challenge when USF's Jack Thompson missed a guarded 3-pointer in the waning seconds.

Freshman guard Jordan Frison and sophomore guard Max Alexander combined for 40 points in the contest to pace the Gorillas (1-1). Frison played all 40 minutes, made eight of 16 shots from the floor and finished with six rebounds and four assists. Alexander added 19 points on eight of 17 shooting from the field.

Senior forward Deshaun English II just missed a double-double as he contributed 13 points and nine rebounds, while redshirt junior guard R.J. Forney Jr. added three points and nine rebounds.

Pitt State, which led 42-25 at the break, shot 42.6 percent from the field in the game, making 26 of 61 attempts. The Gorillas also made eight of 17 3-point field goals; and Pitt State owned a slight edge in rebounding, 41-37.

USF got 17 points from Shawn Warrior. The Cougars took 33 3-point field goal attempts in the game, converting eight long-range shots.