PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg State's Ethan Sage hit a go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute and a pair of potential game-winning shots from Northwest Missouri State misfired as the Gorillas hung on for a 68-67 victory Saturday at Lance Arena.
The Bearcats (12-14 overall, 5-10 MIAA) held the lead for 65% of the game and led 60-50 with 7:35 to play. However, the Gorillas (14-10 overall, 8-6 MIAA) scored the contest's final six points to claim a one-point victory.
Royce Williams led the team with 18 points, contributed eight assists and collected two steals.
Aiden Gair added 10 points, converting two of three attempts from beyond the arc. Williams and Gair each attempted field goals to retake the lead in the final 20 seconds but could not convert those opportunities.
Robby Garcia scored 11 points and collected seven rebounds, including three successful 3-pointers.
Jack Ratigan finished with eight points, recorded two blocks, and made three steals.
Northwest began the game with an assertive opening, as Ratigan's layup at the 19:19 mark initiated a back-and-forth scoring exchange. The visitors capitalized on their perimeter shooting, with Gair hitting a key 3-pointer with 9:11 remaining, allowing the Bearcats to keep pace with Pittsburg St. Williams contributed significantly with multiple assists, including one to Garcia for a 3-pointer at 7:49, leveling the score at 19-19. A decisive momentum shift occurred when the Bearcats embarked on a scoring run, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Williams at 4:48, extending their lead to 29-21. The half concluded with the Bearcats ahead 37-33.
Northwest surged ahead with a series of key plays early in the second half, highlighted by Garcia's 3-pointer at 16:31, extending the lead to 44–39.
Larenz Walters added a fast-break layup and completed the three-point play at 13:54, pushing the score to 50–41. Despite these efforts, Pittsburg State responded with a late comeback, capped by Sage's 3-pointer at 0:42, which allowed them to regain the lead.
Northwest will return home to take on Northeastern State University Thursday at 7:30 p.m. against Bearcat Arena.
