ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — JaRon Thames led five Missouri Western State University players in double figures as the Griffons held off Pittsburg State University, 85-75, in the MIAA opener for both squads Thursday (Nov. 30).
 
Thames scored a team-leading 21 points on eight of 13 shooting to pace the unbeaten Griffs (6-0, 1-0 MIAA). Kiani Saxon and Reese Glover added 15 points apiece for Western.
 
The Gorillas (2-3, 0-1 MIAA) trailed by just four points, 62-58, with 4:27 to play in the game after facing a 17-point halftime deficit (40-23). The Griffs used a short burst 7-2 run to turn their four-point edge into a nine-point margin, 69-60, with 2:57 to go.
 
Pitt State's Max Alexander led all scorers with a career best 31 points. He made 10 of 21 shots from the floor and 10 of 12 free throw attempts in the contest. Jordan Frison added 17 points, while Braydon Redd finished with 13 points and six rebounds.
 
Pitt State will return to action Saturday (Dec. 2) when the Gorillas travel to Maryville, Mo., to battle Northwest Missouri State University.