Pittsburg, Kan. - The Missouri Southern men's basketball program picked up a 103-93 overtime win over Pittsburg State today inside John Lance Arena to sweep the regular season series against the Gorillas.
The Lions (15-9, 11-7 MIAA) were led by
Winston Dessesow with 20 points and six assists,
Vinson Sigmon Jr. had 18 points, six rebounds, five steals and four assists. Chrisitan Bundy had 15 points and six rebounds,
Avery Taggart had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Ndongo Ndaw had 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds while blocking three shots while
Sam Thompson chipped in with 14 points and six rebounds off the bench.
Pittsburg State (6-18, 3-15 MIAA) was led by Deshaun English II with 26 points, six rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals.
The Gorillas got out to a 17-2 lead early before a 10-4 run by the Lions capped off by a Bundy three pointer at 12:17 made it a 21-12 game. The Lions would continue to chip away at the lead until a Thompson layup with 1:37 gave Southern a 38-37 lead and after both teams traded makes sent the two into the locker rooms tied 40-40.
For the first half the Lions shot 44.4 percent from the field and 4-of-4 from free throws while Pittsburg State shot 44.1 percent from the field and was 2-of-4 from free throws but made eight three's.
In the second half Southern built up a five point lead, 56-51 with 15:23 left thanks to a
Martin Macenis hook shot but the Gorillas quickly made it a one possession game and took a 57-56 lead with 14:32 left in regulation. Neither team was able to get separation from the other until the Lions went up seven, 84-77 with 4:46 left thanks to a Dessesow three but a 9-2 run by the Gorillas made it an 86-86 tie with 48 seconds left. Taggart would get a lead for the Lions with 37 seconds left but a pair of free throws by Pitt State with 25 second left and a rimmed out three by the Lions before the buzzer sounded sent the teams into overtime at 88-88.
To start off the overtime period the Lions got a thunderous dunk from Bundy and wouldn't look back getting the lead up to five, 95-90 thanks to a Dessesow three with 3:20 remaining. The Lions got to cross the hundred point mark with a Sigmon Jr. layup with 57 seconds left before running away 103-93 victors and claimed the season sweep over the Gorillas.
For the game the Lions shot 51.4 percent from the field, 40.7 percent from three and was 16-for-16 from free throws and Pittsburg State shot 47.9 percent from the field, 48.5 percent from three and was 7-for-10 from free throws.
Up next for the Lions will be Nebraska - Kearney and Fort Hays State next week. The Lions will host the Lopers on Thursday at 7:30pm and will honor the two seniors on Senior Day, Saturday with tip set for 3:30pm from the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
