ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The Pittsburg State University men's basketball team dropped a 76-70 decision to West Texas A&M University Saturday (Nov. 1) in the D2CCA Tip-Off Classic at Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph, Mo.

The Gorillas trailed by eight points (35-27) at halftime against the Buffs but battled back to knot the score three times midway through the second half, before WT pulled back in front. Pitt State got within four points of the Buffs, 66-62, on Alijah Curry's basket with 1:15 to go, but WT converted 10 of 12 free throw attempts in the game's final 64 seconds to hold off the Gorillas comeback bid.

Curry led four Pitt State players in double figure scoring with 16 points. Ethan Sage added 13 points in his collegiate debut, while Pittsburg native Mason English flirted with a triple-double in his first game in a Gorillas uniform, tallying 10 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Donald Coats also chipped in with 10 points and four rebounds for the Gorillas.

Pitt State shot 43.5 percent from the field, making 27 0f 62 shots in the game, but the Gorillas benefited from securing 16 offensive rebounds. WT outscored Pitt State, 26-11, from the free throw line. The Buffs finished 26-32 (.813) from the charity stripe.

The Gorillas will wrap up the two-day tournament against by facing Minnesota State University Sunday (Nov. 2) at 4 p.m. (CST).