The Collegio Pittsburg's student voice since 1916
Curtis Meyer reporter
It was a solid week for the Gorillas, as they were able to put a loss against Missouri Southern behind them, taking down #14 Fort Hays and Nebraska Kearney on the road. Pitt State is now 17-9, as they look to do some damage in the MIAA tournament in just another week.
“I think everything went good, the ball went in the basket, we were moving the ball, playing with confidence,” said senior forward Deshaun English.
Despite a game lost at the buzzer the weekend prior, Pitt State showed no sign of discouragement in their game against the #14 Fort Hays Tigers, picking up a tight 67-63 win. Pitt State went up 21-12 early in the first half and rode the momentum to a 37-28 halftime lead. The Tigers fought back at the beginning of the second half, retaking the lead 43-42 around seven minutes in.
Pitt State found their wheels again shortly after, retaking the lead. Fort Hays came within two points with just a couple minutes left, but a pair of late free throws secured the win for Pitt State. With the win, Pitt State became the 17th NCAA Division II team to reach 1,500 wins all-time.
Junior guard R. J. Forney led all players with 17 points in the contest, sinking five three pointers. Sophomore guard Max Alexander came in second for Pitt State with 16 points, while English earned his 11th double-double of the season with 11 points and 3 rebounds. Senior guard Jeremy Shaw rounded out the scoring with 13 points.
Following the impressive win, the Gorillas traveled on Saturday to face Nebraska Kearney, hoping to sweep the Lopers. It was another impressive win for the Gorillas, as they cruised to a 90-64 win. Scoring 55 points in the second half, Pitt State went .704 from the field during the half, as they completed the season sweep.
Alexander scored a game high 21 points coming off the bench and dishing out four assists. English and freshman guard Jordan Frison each contributed 15 points over the span of 32 minutes, while Shaw added 13. Sophomore guard Tanner Mans added 12 and sophomore center Tane Prictor added 10 points to round out six different Gorillas with double digit scoring efforts.
“It’s amazing, it’s a wonderful feeling. Losing is tough, so for us to be able to lose like that last year, I think it just makes this year even better,” said English.
The Gorillas will now turn their efforts towards this weekend, when they will host the Emporia State Hornets and the Missouri Western Griffons at home to close out the season. Pitt State will then prepare for the MIAA tournament the following weekend, as they hope to make it back after missing the cut last year.
“I think we just got to take it one game at a time like we have been all year, just keep going, battling and then keep taking the same approach to it when we go to the MIAA tournament and see what we got,” said English.