JOPLIN, Mo. — Ethan Sage posted his first career double-double and Connor Rogers fired in a game high 26 points to lead the Pittsburg State University men's basketball team to an 82-71 road win over Missouri Southern State University Tuesday (Jan. 6) at Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium.

The Gorillas (10-5, 4-1 MIAA) held the Lions (7-7, 1-4 MIAA) 21 points below their season scoring average. MSSU entered the contest averaging an MIAA-leading 92.1 points per game.

Rogers outgunned MSSU's Jaden Taylor in the contest. Taylor (22.2 ppg) and Rogers (20.4 ppg) entered the contest as the league's top scorers. Rogers scored 14 of his 26 points in the first half as the Gorillas built a 43-33 cushion. He finished the game an efficient nine for 13 from the field.

Taylor led the Lions with 23 points on eight of 20 shooting.

Sage made all six of his shots from the floor for Pitt State and finished the game with 15 points and a season-best 11 rebounds. Donald Coats also shared the team lead with 11 rebounds. Mason English contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, while Landon Short made three 3-point field goals and added nine points.

Pitt State shot 63 percent from the floor in the first half (17-27) and the Gorillas finished the game at a 56.6 percent clip (30-53). The Lions shot just 37.9 percent (25-66) on the night.

The Gorillas, who wrapped up a three-game road swing with the victory, will return to campus to host Newman University Thursday (Jan. 8) at John Lance Arena at 7:30 p.m. (CST).