ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team lost to Pittsburg State at home Saturday 93-80. The Griffons are now 5-19 this season and 3-14 in the MIAA.

Missouri Western looked poised for a run midway through the game. The Griffons went on an 11-3 run to cut the Gorilla lead to five points a few minutes into the second half. After PSU pushed its lead back to 15 points, MWSU used another 11-3 run to get the lead to six points with 8:04 left in the game. Pittsburg State countered the Missouri Western run and closed the game with 10-2 run.

Pittsburg State shot 61.5 percent from the three-line in the first half and 48.1 percent for the game. Missouri Western was 50 percent from the field in the second half and 48.3 percent throughout the game.

NOTABLES
– The two teams had four different players scored 21 points

– Missouri Western tied its season-high of 80 points in the game

– Lavon Hightower netted a career-high 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Griffons

– The Griffons forced the Gorillas into 16 turnovers

– MWSU scored 22 points off the Pittsburg State turnovers

– PSU’s Donovan Franklin had a game-high 31 points

UP NEXT
Missouri Western begins its final road trip of the regular season on Thursday, Feb. 22. The Griffons travel to Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri for a 7:30 p.m. game.

— MWSU Athletics —