PSU falls to Griffons

PITTSBURG -- Missouri Western State College got a career-high 33 points from junior guard Demarius Bolds, sparking the visiting Griffons to a 98-88 victory over 14th-ranked Pittsburg State University Wednesday (Jan. 19). The Griffons (10-6, 4-3 MIAA) prevented the Gorillas (13-3, 4-3 MIAA) from recording their 300th all-time victory at John Lance Arena and dropped Pitt State two games behind league-leading Central Missouri State University in the MIAA standings. Pitt State led 27-19 with 7:02 to play in the first half, but Western closed out the half by outscoring the Gorillas 21-7 to take a 40-34 lead to the intermission. The Gorillas trailed just 56-54 with 13:28 to play in the game on Eddie Jacksons free throw, but the Griffons took control by scoring the next seven points for a 63-54 margin at the 11:59 mark. Pitt State closed to 76-69 with 5:14 to go on Wes Thorntons inside basket, but Western used another 8-0 run to clinch the game. The Griffons made 58.5 percent of their shots in the contest (31 of 53) and converted 29 of 40 free throws. The Gorillas outrebounded Western 36-28, including an 18-8 advantage on the offensive glass, but Pitt State made just 45.6 percent of its shots (26 of 57). Jason Taylor scored a team-high 23 points for the Gorillas, while Jackson and Thornton added 18 and 17. Bolden made 13 of 18 shots in the game, scoring 19 in the second half. Jason Warren (18), Langston Grady (15), Fred Battles (11) and Justin Collins (10) all reached double figures for the Griffons. Warren had 14 in the first half for Western.