PITTSBURG — Mason English scored a game high 27 points to lead the Pittsburg State University men's basketball team to a wire-to-wire victory over Northeastern State University Wednesday (Jan. 28) at John Lance Arena.

The Gorillas (12-7, 6-3 MIAA) scored 25 seconds into the contest and surged to a 21-point margin (40-19) 14 minutes into the contest. The RiverHawks (11-8, 4-6 MIAA) battled back to get within five points twice in the second half, finally at 76-71 on a basket by Koen Derry with 7:23 to play, but Pitt State countered with seven straight points to reassert itself.

English made 11 of 19 shots from the floor in the game as the Gorillas shot 59.4 percent from the field in the game (38-64). He added five rebounds and five assists.

Ethan Sage chipped in with 16 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots, while Alijah Curry finished with 14 points and Donald Coats contributed 11 points.

Xavier Glenn (20) and Ethan Blackmon (19) combined for 39 points to pace the RiverHawks.

Pitt State will return to action Saturday (Jan. 31) to host the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith at 3:30 p.m. (CST) at John Lance Arena.