A thrilling basketball showdown took place in San Antonio, Texas, as the Pittsburg State University Gorillas faced off against the University of Texas Permian Basin Falcons in the River City Holiday Classic. The game was an intense battle, but unfortunately, the Gorillas fell short, losing by a score of 75-68.
The Falcons dominated the second half, outscoring the Gorillas by a significant margin and building a lead that proved too difficult to overcome. Despite a valiant effort, Pittsburg State couldn't bridge the gap, and the Falcons secured the victory.
Junior guard Connor Rogers and freshman guard Mason English led the Gorillas' offense, combining for an impressive 43 points. Rogers, in particular, had a standout performance, finishing with a game-high 23 points. English also contributed with 20 points, showcasing his skills as a freshman. Redshirt junior forward Donald Coats added to the Gorillas' scoring with 12 points and led the team in rebounds with seven.
However, the Gorillas struggled with their shooting, managing only a 34.9% field goal percentage and a mere 17.4% from beyond the arc.
On the other side, UTPB had a well-rounded scoring effort, with four players reaching double digits: Tash Lunday (18 points), Connor Morris (17 points), TJ McKenzie (14 points), and Rashad Key (10 points).
The Gorillas will now look to bounce back in their next game against Midwestern State University, scheduled for 3 p.m. CST on Wednesday, December 17. Can they recover from this defeat and secure a win in the tournament? We'll have to wait and see!
And this is the part most people miss: basketball is a game of runs and momentum shifts. The Gorillas will need to find their rhythm and consistency to compete against strong opponents like the Falcons. Will they be able to turn things around? Join the discussion and share your thoughts on this exciting tournament!
