The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Pittsburg State Sports

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December 6, 2012

Pitt State opens MIAA season with win over Central Oklahoma

The Joplin Globe

PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Pittsburg State Gorillas got their MIAA season off to a solid start Thursday night, grabbing an early lead and never letting go in an 81-70 win over Central Oklahoma at John Lance Arena.

Pitt State freshman Kaleb Porter scored a game-high 22 points — 17 in the first half on 5-of-6 shooting from 3-point range — while A.J. Adams added 17 points and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Gorillas (6-1, 1-0 MIAA) took control early, building a lead of 22-9 with 12 minutes left in the first half before stretching it to 45-22 at halftime.

Central Oklahoma (1-6, 0-1) opened the second half on a 17-5 run and cut the Pitt State lead to 11 on June Carter’s dunk with 14:03 remaining.

But that was as close as the Bronchos could get.

UCO was led by James Watson and Spencer Smith, who each scored 10 points.

Courtney Ingram — with 16 points — was the third Pitt State player in double figures. Sam Pugh added nine.

The Gorillas got to the foul line often, hitting 34 of their 49 foul shots. Pitt State outrebounded the Bronchos 41-30.

PSU women fall

Central Oklahoma finished the game on a 9-0 run to hand the No. 11 Gorillas a 70-62 loss.

Pitt State led by as many as eight in the second half and had a 62-61 lead after Hailey Roderique’s foul shot with 2:25 remaining.

But UCO’s Britney Morgan hit a 3-pointer nine seconds later to give the Bronchos their first lead since late in the first half.

The Gorillas (5-2, 0-1) then went 0-for-5 down n the stretch as UCO (6-1, 1-0) began to pull away in the final 1:27.

UCO’s Whitney Dunn led all scorers with 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field while Alyssa Fuxa added 14.

Pitt State got 14 points from Lizzy Jeronimus while Drew Roberts added 11.

The Gorillas outrebounded Central Oklahoma 44-28.

The Pitt State teams travel to Lindenwood on Saturday.

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