The Gorillas' Holiday Misfortune: A Close Call Against the Falcons
The Pittsburg State University men's basketball team faced a challenging start to their River City Holiday Classic, falling to the University of Texas Permian Basin by a score of 75-68 on Tuesday, December 16th. The game was a close affair throughout, but the Falcons' late-game surge proved decisive.
In the second half, the Falcons outscored the Gorillas by a remarkable eight points over the final six minutes, turning a 20-20 tie into a 34-26 halftime lead. This momentum continued into the third quarter, where UTPB extended their advantage to a commanding 17-point lead with 13 minutes remaining. Despite the Gorillas' valiant efforts, they couldn't bridge the gap and ultimately fell short.
The Gorillas' offensive efforts were led by the dynamic duo of junior guard Connor Rogers and freshman guard Mason English, who combined for an impressive 43 points. Rogers, in particular, shone with a game-high 23 points, while English contributed 20 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Redshirt junior forward Donald Coats also played a crucial role, scoring 12 points and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds.
However, the Gorillas' shooting accuracy left room for improvement. They made only 34.9% of their field goals (22-63) and struggled from beyond the arc, going 4 for 23 from 3-point range, resulting in a modest .174 shooting percentage.
UTPB's victory was bolstered by contributions from four players who each scored in double figures: Tash Lunday (18 points), Connor Morris (17), TJ McKenzie (14), and Rashad Key (10).
As the tournament progresses, the Gorillas will have a chance to bounce back when they face Midwestern State University at 3 p.m. (CST) on Wednesday, December 17th. The team will look to close out the two-day tournament on a high note, aiming to prove their mettle against a formidable opponent.
