JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern men's basketball (7-7, 1-4 MIAA) fell to Pittsburg State (10-5, 4-1 MIAA) 82-71 on Tuesday night at Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium.
The Lions trailed by 10 points at halftime and were unable to overcome the deficit despite outscoring the Gorillas in second-chance points, 18-13. PSU secured the win with a balanced attack, including 10 three-pointers.
Jaden Taylor led MSSU with 23 points, converting 8 of 20 field goals and 7 of 10 free throws, while also collecting nine rebounds. He has now scored in double-digits in three-straight games.
Colin Ruffin added 14 points, shooting 5 of 8 from the field, and recorded four assists alongside six rebounds.
Gavyn Elkamil contributed 14 points, making three 3-pointers and grabbing two steals. It marked his sixth consecutive 10-plus scoring outing.
Brayden Williams posted five points and two steals, bolstering the defensive effort.
The game opened with Missouri Southern quickly taking a 5-point lead, highlighted by
Isaiah Atwater's 3-pointer at 17:23 with an assist from Ruffin. Missouri Southern maintained the momentum with Taylor's contributions, as he added a jumper and free throws to keep the pace. Despite this effort, PSU responded with strong shooting, including eight 3-pointers, to take the lead.
MSSU capitalized on turnovers with six steals, contributing to maintaining the lead.
The Lions jumped out to a 7-0 edge before a Ruffin triple pushed the edge to 10-3.
However, PSU responded with a series of successful 3-pointers, which shifted momentum midway through the half.
Despite efforts to regain control, Missouri Southern saw the gap widen as the Gorillas' Ethan Sage and Connor Rogers added key points.
Missouri Southern capitalized on turnovers, forcing nine from PSU, but struggled to contain its opponent's offense in the paint, allowing 18 points.
Taylor managed to close the half with a jumper at the buzzer, but Lions trailed 43-33 at the end of the first half.
Missouri Southern found a key momentum shift early in the second half with Elkamil's 3-pointer, bringing the score to 48-39 at 17:07.
Tyrone Wright Jr. contributed with a layup following a turnover and later added two successful free throws to maintain momentum.
Despite these efforts, PSU responded with strong shooting, including a jumper by Connor Rogers and a fast-break layup by David Cobin Jr., expanding its lead.
Elkamil continued to keep Southern close with another 3-pointer at 4:02 (70-61), but the Gorillas maintained control with consistent scoring, particularly from the free-throw line.
Pitt State maintained a narrow edge throughout the half, eventually outscoring Missouri Southern by one point, 39-38, as the Lions fell 82-71.
MSSU next hosts Newman Saturday at 3:30 p.m., CT at Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium.
