A Sam Pugh three-pointer with 15 seconds remaining propelled Pittsburg State over the Missouri Western men 69-67 Saturday, Jan. 21 at the MWSU Fieldhouse. Western dropped to 6-11 and 1-10 in the MIAA, their 8th consecutive loss. Pitt improved to 11-7 and 7-4.

After Pugh’s wide-open shot, James Harris was called for a travel on a drive toward the hoop with 3.4 seconds left. On the other end, Andra Bailey made one free throw to put the Gorillas up 69-67 with 2.5 seconds left. Lavonte Douglas’ lob pass for TJ Johnson was intercepted by Pugh as time expired.

Alex Tuluka-Mfumupembe tied the game at 65 with his three-pointer from James Harris with 1:40 remaining. Deionta Mitchell gave the Griffons their first lead since the first half when he sank a free throw with 33.4 seconds remaining, then drained the second to put Western up 67-65.

Harris led all scorrers with 21 points, Johnson had five in the second half to finish with 12. Douglas scored 14 second half points and had eight rebounds in the second frame to finish with 15 and nine. Bailey and JaVon McGee each had 19 for the Gorillas and Courtney Ingram finished with 12 for Pitt. Pugh’s three gave him seven for the game.

The Griffons built a 23-16 lead with 7:01 remaining in the first half before the Gorillas went on a 17-3 run to end the half and go to the locker room up 36-26. Johnson and Harris each scored seven first half points for the Griffons. Western shot just under 43 percent from the field in the first, going 2-7 from three.

Western will head to Emporia to face the Hornets next on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

— MWSU Sports Information —