Joplin, Mo. – The Missouri Southern men's basketball team had a balanced attack tonight with five reaching double figures in a 84-63 victory inside the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
 
For the Lions (8-4, 4-2 MIAA) it was Winston Dessesow with a game-high 18 points joined by Christian Bundy (16), Vinson Sigmon Jr. (13) and Avery Taggart (11) in double figures among the starters with Sam Thompson adding in 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
 
Pittsburg State (5-8, 2-5 MIAA) was led by Magic Reliford with 15 points while Jeramy Shaw added 14 points off the bench and Quentin Hardrict Jr. also scoring in double figures with 11.
 
Tonight the Lions gained the advantage over the Gorillas with a 52.3 percent shooting performance from the field while holding the opposition to shooting 39.1 percent from the field, collected more rebounds than Pittsburg State 41-33 and held a 50-26 advantage on points in the paint.
 
Scoring runs of 14-5 and 8-5 in the last ten minutes of the first half helped pave the way for the Lions to a 16 point lead at 44-28 with Dessesow scoring 13 points along with Sigmon Jr. chipping in with nine to lead the charge at the half.
 
In the second half a 13-2 run in the first three minutes made it 57-30 following a pair of Dessesow free throws with the Lions able to coast the rest of the way to a comfortable win over rival Pittsburg State.
 
Up next is a trip to the northwest corner of the MIAA as the Lions will be taking on Fort Hays State (10-3, 5-2 MIAA) and Nebraska – Kearney (2-11, 0-7 MIAA) this week. Tip-off from Gross Memorial Coliseum is set for 7:30pm on Thursday in Hays, Kan. and against the Lopers inside the Health & Sports Center on Saturday at 4:00pm.