PITTSBURG — Darius Dawson scored a game-high 25 points to lead the Missouri Southern State University men's basketball team to an 84-71 victory over Pittsburg State University Saturday (Jan. 6).

The Lions (5-8, 3-4 MIAA) halted the Gorillas (7-5, 3-3 MIAA) five-game win streak in front of 3,043 fans at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court, a new modern era Pitt State home attendance record crowd.

MSSU shot just 41.3 percent from the field in the contest, but the Lions owned a 24-16 advantage at the free throw line as well as a 13-5 edge in turnovers.

Deshaun English II paced the Gorillas with 20 points on the strength of 9-for-14 shooting from the floor. Max Alexander added 17 points, six rebounds and eight assists, while Jeramy Shaw chipped in with 15 points and six boards.

Dawson converted eight of 19 shots for the Lions. Cam Williams also tossed in 23 points, while Lawson Jenkins (12) and Vinson Sigmon Jr. (11) also finished in double figures.

The Gorillas will return to action Thursday (Jan. 11) by hosting the University of Nebraska-Kearney at 7:30 p.m. (CST).