Box score | Season stats

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The #13 SBU Bearcats won their 36th consecutive game at home in thrilling fashion, as they held off the upset bid of the Pittsburg State Gorillas and won 79-75. SBU's streak is the second longest active stretch in Division II behind Findlay's 41 games.

Tristan Steele led the Bearcats with 22 points while Matt Rogers had 21. Tomas Brock and Kurt Koenig had 14 and 12 points, respectively for the Bearcats. Rogers and Brock had seven boards each while Rogers led with six blocks. The Bearcats shot 51% for the game, including 57% in the second half. SBU also made 10 of 25 three-pointers.

"It's a good win -- they are a good team with a great coach," said SBU head coach Jeff Guiot regarding the Gorillas. "You better be ready to play against Pitt State. There's a target on our back, and teams won't quit on us."

Rogers played in his third straight game after missing two with an ankle injury. "It's nice to have Matt back, but we wanted him to step up more and lead the team. He had 21 points, but also seven turnovers. He needs to get better in that area."

The teams stayed close through much of the first half, before SBU would open up an eight point halftime cushion (38-30). Pitt State would chip away in the first part of the second half and took the lead, 53-52 on a layup by Spencer Magana with 10:43 left. Over the next four minutes, SBU would race ahead to their largest lead of the game with a 15-0 run which included treys from Steele and two from Koenig.

The Gorillas would battle back, closing to within three points two times with under two minutes remaining. But two crucial baskets from Rogers, along with a five of six team effort from the foul line in the final minute, sealed the win for the Bearcats.

C.J. Masters led the Gorillas (5-4, 0-3 MIAA) with 22 points while Magana had 20 points.

The Bearcats' starting five (Steele, Brock, Rogers, Koenig and Ryan Dougherty) all played over thirty minutes against PSU. Guiot noted this in his postgame comments. "The starting five stepped up which is always nice, but we need to get more depth. Jacob (French) played well. (Stephen) Cotten gave good minutes and we'd like to see (Tremaine) Hill play with more confidence. We have a ways to go, but it's nice to have a break, which we'll use to improve and heal. I'm encouraged by this team."

SBU (11-2, 2-1 MIAA) is now off until Wednesday, December 30 when they travel to Truman State in Kirksville for a 7:30 p.m. contest.

NOTES: SBU honored Pittsburg State head coach Gene Iba prior to the game. Iba announced his retirement following this season, which is his 30th year overall.
• SBU has not lost at home since February 12, 2007, a 74-64 defeat to Fort Hays State.