KOAM TV 7 Joplin and PittsburgPittsburg State’s Upset Bid Falls Short, 78-74

Pittsburg State’s Upset Bid Falls Short, 78-74

PITTSBURG — Pitt State pushed No. 22 NW Missouri State to the brink but couldn't deliver in the game's waning minutes as the Bearcats pulled out a 78-74 victory Saturday (Feb. 4) at John Lance Arena.

The Gorillas (12-10, 8-7) gave the Bearcats (17-3, 11-3) a scare along the way.

PSU put together a collective scoring effort that included four players scoring in double figures. Eric Ray led the Gorillas with 19 points, 13 of which came in the second half. Courtney Ingram had 15 points, converting 5-of-8 shots from the field. Andra Bailey chipped in with 14 points to go along with his game-high nine rebounds. Marky Nolen used his 6-of-6 showing at the free throw line to finish with 10 points as well.

The Gorillas used a six-minute field goal drought by the Bearcats to take their first lead of the afternoon following a pair of free throws from Nolen. Those charity shots made the score 45-43 with 13:24 left in the contest. Ray hit a pair of free throws with 8:50 left to gave PSU its largest lead of the game, at six, with 8:50 to play.

After the eighth tie of the ball game with 3:17 on the clock, Northwest was able to regain control of the momentum with a strong run to take a six-point lead. Ray hit two more free throws with 1:25 left to bring the score to 71-69 in favor of the Bearcats. However, that would be as close as the Gorillas would get as they were forced to foul down the stretch and Northwest convert its opportunities at the charity stripe.

Pittsburg State trailed by as many as nine in the first half, but was able to cut the deficit to just two, 33-35 at the intermission. Ingram had 12 of his points during the first half.

As a team Pitt State shot .415 (22-53) from the field, .429 (6-14) from behind the arc, and .727 (24-33) from the free-throw line. The Gorillas were able to out-rebound Northwest 39-28.

DeShaun Cooper led four Bearcats in double figures with 19 points. DeAngelo Hailey (17), Justin Clark (15) and Jake Reinders (10) all were the other players recording over ten points.

The Gorillas return to action Wednesday (Feb. 8) night against MIAA rival Missouri Southern in a Sonic Trophy Series match-up at Joplin, Mo. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (CST) at the Lions' Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.