LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Jeramy Shaw scored 17 of his game-high 29 points in the first half to help spark the Pittsburg State University men's basketball team to a 94-88 victory over Truman State University Monday (Dec. 18).
 
Pitt State (5-4) notched its third straight win by shooting 47 percent from the field and outscoring Truman (3-6), 34-17, at the free throw line in day one action of the 2023 High Desert Classic held at Desert Oasis High School.                                         
 
Shaw made a big splash in his season debut for the Gorillas, making nine of 10 shots from the field and eight of nine free throws. He was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, including 2-for-2 from 3-point range in the opening stanza as Pitt State built a 45-35 advantage.
 
The Gorillas led by as many as 14 points in the second half before settling for the six-point win.
 
Tanner Mans, also making his season debut for Pitt State, contributed 13 points and four rebounds in the contest. Deshaun English II posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Max Alexander, Jordan Frison and Tane Prictor each chipped in with 11 points. Frison also dished out six assists.
 
Truman got 19 points from Brennan Lovette and 18 more from CE Talton.
 
The Gorillas will close out the two-day, classic format tournament with a 4 p.m. (CST) match-up against Henderson State University Tuesday (Dec. 19).