From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
PITTSBURG, Kan. — No All-American center Matt Rogers? No problem for Southwest Baptist.
The Bearcats adjusted to a Rogers injury by shooting over 60 percent on Wednesday night and beating Pittsburg State 83-71 in MIAA basketball at John Lance Arena.
The hot shooting followed a theme Southwest Baptist established in the opening women’s game. The Bearcats hit 15 3-point goals for a 76-57 victory.
In the men’s game, Southwest Baptist build an early 12-point lead, then weathered a mid-game run by the Gorillas.
Southwest Baptist, 18-5 overall and 9-4 in the MIAA, hit 26 of 43 shots (60.5 percent). The Bearcats were 22-of-26 at the foul line.
Tristan Steele came off the bench to lead Southwest Baptist with 23 points. Ryan Dougherty had 17 and Mount Vernon product Tomas Brock had 13 points and a game-high six assists.
C.J. Masters and Spencer Magana scored 14 points each for Pittsburg State (7-14, 1-13).
In the women’s game, the Bearcats shot 57.7 percent (15 of 26) from 3-point range. They hit five early treys to take a 26-9 lead.
Courtney Heady and Rachel Graves, who combined for 44 points, had six 3-pointers each for the Bearcats (5-15, 3-10). Whitney Malone had 10 rebounds, leading the Bearcats to a 36-34 advantage on the boards.
DePrice Taylor scored 15 points for Pittsburg State (10-11, 8-6). Bailey Waugh came off the bench and hit three treys while scoring 12 points.
