Collegio Online

Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Teresa Gawrych/Collegio Scanning the court, sophomore Spencer Magana looks for an open teammate to pass the ball to during the last home basketball game in the John Lance Arena. The Gorillas beat Truman State University 67-62.

The Pitt State men's basketball team stood strong in it's face-off against Truman State last Saturday, March 1, leading to a spot in the MIAA semi finals in Kansas City this weekend.

Truman had an 11-point lead over the Gorillas at the beginning of the second half, and the lead flip-flopped back and forth between the teams throughout the period.

The teams found themselves tied at 62-62 with only 55 seconds left on the clock. Pitt State's Spencer Magana pulled through with a free throw with 11 seconds remaining, pulling the Gorillas ahead to 65-62.

A foul was called on Truman's Josias Flynn, and Keith Windom was granted two free throws. Windom made both shots with one second on the clock, and the Gorillas walked with a 67-62 victory over the Bulldogs, ending Truman's regular season.

Cory Abercrombie, senior forward/center, was named Most Valuable Player of the MIAA, a decision made by vote of the league's head basketball coaches. Abercrombie finished the regular season with an average 10.4 rebound per game average, and a field goal average of .593, leading in the MIAA. He was also second in the league in scoring, with an average 18.3 points per game.

Windom, senior guard, was also recognized by the MIAA, receiving an honorable mention. Windom averaged 8.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.

The Gorillas will take the court again on Friday, March 7, in the first round of MIAA Championship games against Northwest Missouri State. Pitt State was named the No. 7 seed for MIAA postseason tournament, while Northwest sits at a comfortable No. 2.

In it's last two meetings in the regular season, Pitt State was unable to come out on top. The Bearcats won 62-46 in Pittsburg on Jan. 19, and 67-46 on Feb. 23 in Maryville.

In last year's MIAA tournament semi final round, the Gorillas earned a victory over Northwest, but were soon defeated by the Bearcats in the NCAA tournament.

If Pitt State defeats Northwest, it will travel on to compete on Saturday, March 8, against the winner of the Central Missouri-Washburn match.

The Gorillas and the Bearcats will tip off at 6 p.m. Friday, March 7, at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.

The Gorilla women were not as fortunate, losing 79-72 to the Bulldogs the same night the men triumphed. The loss marks the end of the PSU women's season, while the Truman women will advance to the semi-finals.

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