February 20, 2008

Quick Start Shoots Pitt State to 88-71 Victory

    PITTSBURG -- Pittsburg State University bulled its way to a 28-6 lead eight minutes into the game and the Gorillas never looked back in rolling to an 88-71 victory over Emporia State University Wednesday (Feb. 20) at John Lance Arena.
    Cory Abercrombie and Jeff Ivory, making his first start of the season, combined for 42 points to spark the Gorillas frontcourt game and send Pitt State (16-8, 7-8 MIAA) to the lopsided win over Emporia (11-13, 6-9 MIAA), which dropped its fifth straight contest.
     Abercrombie logged a double-double with a game-high 26 points and 11 rebounds. He converted 12 of 17 shots from the field as the Gorillas shot 54 percent for the game and 60 percent in the second half.
    Ivory, who had averaged just 7.3 minutes of action in 18 games on the year, chipped in with season highs of 16 points and seen rebounds in 24 minutes of play. Spencer Magana and Chris Roe also scored in double figures for the Gorillas with 16 and 12 points. Michael Hutchingson added six points, five rebounds and nine of PSU's school record 29 assists in the contest.
    Wes Book led four Emporia players in double figures with 18 points. DeAndre Townsend and Caleb Tegtmeier added 15 apiece and Andrew Davison finished with 12. The Hornets overcame a 38 percent shooting night by hitting 13 3-point field goals.