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Curtis Meyer reporter
Pitt State basketball woes continued this week, the team started with a tough matchup with Washburn.
Facing the Ichabods at home on Jan. 14, Washburn raced out to a 46 to 25 lead. The Gorillas got to within ten after the half, trailing 53-43 with 11 minutes to go. The Ichabods poured it on in the final ten, going on a 19-2 run to bring the game back under control.
Tyler Nelson had the most points in the game with 23, while four other players for Washburn were able to reach the double digit mark. Jarmell Johnson (16), Jaden Monday (15), Levi Braun (13), and Brady Christenen (11) rounded out the Ichabods top scorers.
Junior Deshaun English was Pitt State’s leading score with 15, while senior Quentin Hardict Jr. added ten more. Sophomore R. J. Forney had nine and Junior Albert McBride had eight to round out the Gorilla’s scoring.
Following the 93 to 63 loss Pitt State traveled to Oklahoma to face Rogers State University in another MIAA match. Pitt State battled throughout the game, but ultimately fell short in a 82-70 loss. Pitt State led by 3 at halftime, but the Hillcats went on a 17-3 run to reclaim the momentum.
Bringing it back to within three at 6:44, it was a 60-57 game, and then a 63-60 with the Gorillas still behind. However, the Hillcats went on a 11-3 run in the last 5 minutes to finish with the 12 point win.
Forney led all players with a personal best 18 points, going 5 for 8 on his three point attempts. English was behind with his seventh double-double of the season, with 16 points and game leading 11 rebounds. Hardict Jr. was Pitt State’s third scorer, with nine points and seven assists.
Rogers State University had 4 double digit scorers, Joey Saracco with 17 points, Issac Johnson with 13 points, and Sherwyn Devonish Prince and Ugo Obineke rounded the Hillcats out with 10 points each.
Returning to Oklahoma two days later on Jan. 21, the Gorillas faced another MIAA rival in Northeastern State. Once again, Pitt State had a strong start, with the game tied at 33 going into the locker room at halftime. The Gorillas were toe to toe with the Riverhawks, even leading 62 to 60 late in the game. The Riverhawks followed that with 10 straight points, taking the lead and never looking back.
Northeastern State went on a 20-5 run in the final 5:47 to claim the 80-67 lead. It was a hard fought win, but the Gorillas losing streak stretched to seven games as they continue to struggle under first year head coach Jeff Boschee.
The Riverhawks led scoring with Christian Cook going for 23 and Dillon Bailey for 21. Rashad Perkins finished out Northeastern’s scoring with 14 points.
The Gorillas leading scorer was English, who had another double-double, with 18 points and a game high 13 rebounds. McBride was second with 17 points and Hardict Jr. followed with 13 points and 7 assists.
The Gorillas will look to continue their MIAA play on Jan. 28 at home when they face Newman.
