PITTSBURG — Trey Phipps completed a traditional three-point play with 4.4 seconds remaining in regulation to break an 87-87 tie and lift the Northeastern State University men's basketball team to a 91-87 victory over Pittsburg State University Saturday (Jan. 4).
 
The Gorillas (7-6, 3-1 MIAA) and RiverHawks (9-4, 3-1 MIAA) trades punches in a back and forth final three minutes to the contest.
 
Tanner Mans gave Pitt State an 87-85 lead with a driving basket with 1:06 to play in the game. NSU's Jaxon Jones knotted the score at 87-87 with 12 seconds to go with an inside basket off an inbound play.
 
The Gorillas had a chance to play for a final shot but Phipps stripped the ball from Tane Prictor and raced down the court. He was fouled by R.J. Forney Jr. on his go-ahead driving layup, giving NSU a three-point lead.
 
The RiverHawks then fouled Pitt State's Avery Taggart with 2.0 seconds to play and Taggart missed the front end of his 1-and-1 opportunity. NSU's Ethan Blackmon then made one of two free throws with 1.0 seconds to go to seal the road win.
 
Jordan Frison led four Pitt State players in double figure scoring with 18 points. Taggart (15), Prictor (13) and Evan Jackson (10) also scores in double figures.
 
Blackmon (28) and Phipps (22) combined for 50 points for the RiverHawks. Jones also posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Pitt State will wrap up a three-game home stand by hosting Missouri Southern State University Tuesday (Jan. 7) at 7:30 p.m. (CST) at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.