Gorillas Handle Northeastern State In 89-59 Rout

The Northeastern State men's basketball team dropped an 89-59 decision to Pittsburg State Saturday afternoon inside John Lance Arena.

The RiverHawks (17-7, 10-6 MIAA) recorded their worst loss of the season, while the Gorillas (15-7, 9-5 MIAA) were able to exact revenge from a 64-62 defeat at the hands of NSU back on Jan. 23.

Northeastern State had not lost by more than 12 points this season and all six previous losses were by a combined 34 points.

Junior guard Bryton Hobbs led NSU with 16 points and five assists in 35 minutes. Senior forward Jermaine Bransford added 12 points, and fellow senior forward John Schneider added eight points and eight rebounds off the bench.

NSU shot just 33 percent (19-for-57) from the field, 39 percent (7-for-18) beyond the arc and 82 percent (14-for-17) at the charity stripe.

The Gorillas shot a scorching 57 percent (32-for-56) from the field, 53 percent (9-for-17) from distance and 84 percent (16-for-19) from the free-throw line.

Marky Nolen paced PSU with 22 points. JaVon McGee recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Kaleb Porter posted 15 points, eight assists and six boards.

Sophomore forward Landon DeMasters scored the game's opening basket to put NSU on top 2-0, but the home side scored eight unanswered points and never looked back.

Pittsburg State led 50-31 at the half and cruised to the 30-point victory.

Northeastern State will take a week off before heading to Emporia, Kan., for a 5:30 p.m. meeting Feb. 23 with Emporia State University.