Gorillas Edge Newman 88-83 in High-Scoring Affair

PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Pittsburg State University men’s basketball team secured an 88-83 victory over newman University on Saturday (Dec. 14) in a fast-paced, high-scoring contest at John Lance Arena.

The Gorillas (7-3) showcased a balanced offensive attack, with four players scoring in double figures. Senior guard jeramy Shaw led the way with 23 points, adding five assists and three rebounds. Sophomore forward Elijah Johnson contributed 18 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Freshman guard Reece Curry chipped in with 16 points, while senior forward James Hughes added 12 points and six rebounds.

Newman (4-6) kept the game close throughout, shooting 52.9 percent from the field.Steffen Nielsen paced the Jets with 21 points, followed by Ian Dougherty with 17. The Jets’ strong shooting performance kept them within striking distance,but the Gorillas’ consistent scoring and clutch free-throw shooting proved to be the difference.

Pitt State built a 44-38 lead at halftime, fueled by efficient offence and aggressive defense. The second half saw numerous lead changes and intense back-and-forth action. Newman briefly took the lead with under five minutes remaining, but Pitt State responded with a crucial 8-2 run to regain control.

The Gorillas sealed the victory at the free-throw line, converting 7 of 8 attempts in the final minute. Pitt State finished the game shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point range.

“This was a tough, physical game against a good Newman team,” said Pitt State Head Coach Kim Anderson. “Our guys showed a lot of resilience and made the plays we needed to down the stretch. I’m proud of their effort.”