PITTSBURG — Avery Taggart scored a game-high 23 points to help lead the Pittsburg State University men's basketball team to a 73-42 victory over the University of Central Missouri in the regular season finale Saturday (Mar. 1).
 
The Gorillas (17-11, 13-6 MIAA) finished the regular season in a tie for second place in the MIAA standings with Rogers State University and possibly Fort Hays State University, which is battling the University of Nebraska-Kearney in a late afternoon contest Saturday. The Mules slipped to 14-14 overall and 9-10 in MIAA play.
 
Pitt State and UCM will now await the release of the 2024-25 MIAA Postseason Tournament bracket later tonight. Tournament play will get underway next week at Municipal Auditorium at Kansas City Mo.
 
Taggart made seven of 10 3-point field attempts to help spark a Pitt State offense that shot 50 percent (27-54) and made 12 of 21 (.574) long-range attempts.
 
Jordan Frison added 18 points and a game-high 10 assists, while Evan Jackson (13) and Tanner Mans (12) also scored in double figures.
 
The Gorillas led 36-15 at the break and never faced a serious challenge from the Mules down the stretch. Josh Nwankwo scored a team-leading 17 points to pace UCM.