KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Guards
Mason English and
Connor Rogers scored 20 points apiece to spark the Pittsburg State University men's basketball team to an 84-76 season-opening win over the University of Sioux Falls in the Central Region Tipoff Challenge Friday (Nov. 13) at Municipal Auditorium.
The Gorillas used an 11-0 run to turn a 34-31 lead into a 45-31 advantage late in the first half. Pitt State, which never trailed in the contest, led by as many as 15 points late in the first half against the Cougars.
English made five of 11 shots from the field and nine of 10 free throw attempts in the game as Pitt State shot 54.7 percent from the floor in the game, making 29 of 53 attempts. The Gorillas outscored USF, 22-13, at the free throw line. Pitt State made 22 of 30 charity attempts in the game compared to 13 of 20 shooting for the Cougars. Rogers made seven of 13 shots, including three 3-point field goals, and shared the team lead with six rebounds. English dished out six assists.
Lucas N'Gombo,
Charles Caporaso and
Corban Down all finished with 10 points.
USF got a game-high 26 points from Kyle Ingwerson and 22 more points from Jacoby Mehrman.
Pitt State will wrap up the two-day Central Region Tipoff Challenge action Saturday (Nov. 14) with a 2 p.m. game against Minnesota State University-Moorhead.
