LAWRENCE — The Pittsburg State University men's basketball team dropped an 80-62 exhibition game decision to the University of Kansas Friday (Oct. 16) in the season debut for both squads at historic Allen Fieldhouse.
The Gorillas put up a game effort against the Jayhawks, scoring seven of the game's first nine points. Pitt State still led, 22-21, on a dunk by senior newcomer
Charles Caporaso with 9:58 to play in the first half, before the Jayhawks exploded for a 22-0 run to take control.
KU led 47-30 at halftime and twice extended its margin to 25 points in the second half, but Pitt State battled back to within 16 points of the Jayhawks before settling for the game's final 18-point margin.
Caporaso and junior forward
Lucas N'Gombo paced the Gorillas with 11 points apiece. Caporaso, a 7'0" Division I transfer from Jacksonville University, added eight points, three assists and two blocked shots. N'Gombo (Nice, France), a Seward Community College transfer, made five of seven shots from the floor while battling foul trouble in 14 minutes of action.
Sophomore guard
Landon Short also finished in double figures with 10 points, while freshman guard
Sydney Thompson chipped in with seven points.
KU got a game-high 16 points from Tre White and 14 apiece from Christian Reeves and Tyson Stokes. Reeves posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. He also blocked four shots in 11 minutes of action.
The Gorillas will open regular season play Nov. 14-15 when they host a six-team Central Region Challenge tournament at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.
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