The Collegio Pittsburg's student voice since 1916
The Pittsburg State University men’s and women’s basketball teams traveled to Kansas City, MO and Weatherford, OK respectively to compete in season opener challenges.
The men’s team competed in the Central Region Tipoff Challenge against Winona State University on Nov. 12and the University of Upper Iowa on Nov. 14. The women’s team played in the MIAA/GAC Conference Challenge against Oklahoma Baptist University on Nov. 12 and the University of Southwestern Oklahoma on Nov. 13.
The PSU men’s basketball team entered the Central Region Tipoff Challenge after a loss to Kansas State University and a win over Avila University in exhibition matches. Winona State came into the game with a win over Saint Mary’s University (Minnesota).
The Gorillas competed well against the Winona State Warriors but were unable to take the lead in the first half. The Warriors entered halftime ahead 41-25 after shooting for over 50 percent.
In the second half the Gorillas rallied and outscored the Warriors by putting up 43 points in the period. However, the Warriors kept up with the Gorillas and the final score was Winona State 79 and Pittsburg State University 68.
In the Gorillas second game in the Central Region Tipoff Challenge, they faced the Upper Iowa University Peacocks. The Peacocks came into the game with a win over Missouri Southern University 96-83.
In the first half the Gorillas outscored the Peacocks by shooting over 42 percent from inside and outside the three-point arc. The Gorillas entered halftime ahead 33 to 28.
The Peacocks started the second half strong and took the lead for the first time with 14 minutes left in the game. The Gorillas kept pace and only allowed the Peacocks a seven-point lead with nine minutes left in the match.
Cameron Huefner, forward for the Gorillas and freshman in psychology, tied the ball game with 3:30 left in the game giving new life to the team. However, the Peacocks retook the lead and ended the game ahead with the final score being Upper Iowa University 69 and the Pittsburg State University 66.
The PSU men’s basketball team exited the challenge 0-2 and look to future games in the Chris Tucker Classic Tournament and regular season conference play.
The Pittsburg State University women’s basketball team entered the MIAA/GAC Conference Challenge with a loss to Kansas State University in exhibition 101-54. Their first match was against the Oklahoma Baptist Bison.
The Gorillas took an early lead in the first quarter and lead the Bison 10-7 in the first quarter. The Bison rallied and regained the lead 15-14 with 6:24 left in the second quarter. They maintained their lead going into halftime ahead 24-19.
During the third quarter the Gorillas struggled to take the lead from the Bison. But a three pointer by Tristan Gregg, guard and senior in elementary education, tied the game with 57 seconds left in the third quarter. And, by the end of the quarter the Gorillas pulled ahead 36-33.
The PSU women’s basketball team grew their lead in the fourth quarter and ended the contest with a 56-46 win over Oklahoma Baptist. Tristan Gregg aided the team with 36 points during the game and was the top scorer of the game.
Pittsburg State moved on to their second game against Southwestern Oklahoma Lady Bulldogs with a win under their belt. The Lady Bulldogs came out on top of the Washburn Ichabods in the first match of the conference challenge 70-54.
The Lady Bulldogs began growing a lead throughout the first and second quarter ending the first half of play 42-23.
Despite the large lead by the Lady Bulldogs, the Gorillas rallied and score more points in the third quarter. Ultimately, the Gorillas fell to the Lady Bulldogs 79-54. Tristan Gregg continued to lead the team with 23 points during the game.
The Gorillas will now go into out of conference play until conference play begins in Dec. Both the men’s and women’s season will be in action throughout Dec. and Jan. More information can be found at pittstategorillas.com