PITTSBURG STATE University of Central Oklahoma (14-8, 7-6 MIAA)

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1 PITTSBURG STATE University of Central Oklahoma (14-8, 7-6 MIAA) Feb. 7, 2014 Hamilton Field House 3:30 p.m. (CST) Gorillas Schedule All Times Central NOVEMBER 13 at Arkansas (exhibition) L, at Sanford Pentagon Basketball Showcase 15 vs. Augustana L, vs. Northern State L, at Arkansas Tech W, at West Texas A&M L, at Tarleton State Thanksgiving Classic 28 vs. Tarleton State L, vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville W, DECEMBER 2 NEWMAN W, NORTHWEST MISSOURI * W, at Southwest Baptist * W, ARKANSAS TECH W, JANUARY 3 LINDENWOOD * L, LINCOLN * W, at No. 17 Central Missouri * L, at Missouri Western * W, EMPORIA STATE * W, WASHBURN * W, at Nebraska-Kearney * L, at Fort Hays State * W, at Northeastern State * W, CENTRAL OKLAHOMA * W, FEBRUARY 7 at Central Oklahoma * 3:30 p.m. 12 NEBRASKA-KEARNEY * 7:30 p.m. 14 FORT HAYS STATE * 3:30 p.m. 18 NORTHEASTERN STATE * 7:30 p.m. 21 MISSOURI SOUTHERN * 3:30 p.m. 25 at Emporia State * 7:30 p.m. 28 at Washburn * 7 p.m. MARCH 2-8 MIAA CHAMPIONSHIPS (Kansas City, Mo.) TBA The Pittsburg State University men s basketball team will travel to Edmond, Okla., Saturday to face the University of Central Oklahoma in MIAA action. The Gorillas and Bronchos will meet at 3:30 p.m. (CST) at UCO s Hamilton Field House. It will mark the second meeting between the two teams in eight days. Pitt Sate cruised to a victory over UCO in Pittsburg on Jan. 31. Following Saturday s action, Pitt State will begin a four-game home stand at John Lance Arena. THE RECORDS Pitt State is 13-7 overall, 9-3 in the MIAA and alone in second place in the conference standings. The Gorillas have posted three straight wins and claimed victories in six of their last seven outings. Pitt State defeated UCO in Pittsburg in its last action on Jan. 31. UCO is 14-8 overall, 7-6 in the MIAA and tied for seventh place in the conference standings (with Fort Hays State University). The Bronchos bounced back from their road loss to the Gorillas with a lopsided home win over Northeastern State University Thursday (Feb. 5). HEAD COACH KEVIN MUFF Pittsburg State s Kevin Muff is in his fifth season leading the Gorillas. Muff (Kansas State, 86) became the Gorillas 14th all-time head coach on Apr. 5, 2010, after spending 12 seasons at Cloud County Community College, where he helped the Thunderbirds to an average of 21 wins in each of the last five seasons. [for complete biography, see page 3] He has a (.527) record in his tenure with the Gorillas. This will be his seventh meeting vs. UCO. He has a 2-4 record vs. the Bronchos. SERIES HISTORY Pitt State and UCO will meet for the 30th time Saturday in a series that dates all the way back to the 1916 season. The Bronchos hold a edge in the series, including a 12-4 advantage in games played at Edmond. Last Time Out (vs. UCO): Pitt State started fast, building a 16-point lead 10 minutes into the game and riding that early momentum to a victory over UCO. Josiah Gustafson scored a game-high 25 points, including 14 in the first half to spark the Gorillas. Dakota Jones added 15 points for Pitt State, which shot 47 percent from the field (24 of 51). Devon Branch (13) and Trevor Gregory (10) also finished in double figures. The Gorillas outscored the Bronchos, 28-14, at the foul line in a game that featured 43 combined personal fouls. GORILLAS VS. NSU, UCO JAN ,

2 Pitt State made 28 of 32 charity shots in the contest. UCO got 14 points off the bench from Jacob Strassle. SCOUTING THE GORILLAS Pitt State has two players scoring in double figures on the season: sophomore guard Josiah Gustafson (16.8 ppg) and senior guard Devon Branch (14.5 ppg). Junior forward Lamine Dieng is averaging just under double figures on the year (8.9 ppg). Branch (6-6, 180) is shooting 54.2 percent from the floor, converting 103 of 190 shots on the season. The Aberdeen, Md., native also is contributing 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Gustafson (6-6, 190) is shooting 47.2 percent from the field (109 of 231), including 31 of 74 (.419) from 3-point range. The Omaha, Neb., native also has made 87 of 103 (.837) free throw attempts ranking fourth in the MIAA in free throw percentage. Gustafson, who ranks fourth in the MIAA in scoring, has scored 20 or more points seven times this season. Dieng made his Pitt State debut against West Texas A&M on Nov. 26. The Thies, Senegal native redshirted in and missed the Gorillas first three games this season. He has averaged 8.9 points and a team-leading 5.0 rebounds thus far. Dieng (6-8, 240) had a season-best 18 points and nine rebounds vs. Newman (Dec. 2). He had 12 points and nine rebounds in his Pitt State debut vs. WTAMU (Nov. 26). Freshman guard Dakota Jones (5-10, 165) contributes 7.5 points per game, while sophomore forward Trevor Gregory (6-7, 235) chips in with 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. Junior guard Javis Flynn (5-10, 170) adds 6.8 points and a team-leading 5.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Flynn dished out a PSU record 12 assists in the Gorillas win over Emporia State on Jan. 14. He ranks second in the MIAA in assists and steals. As a team, Pitt State has averaged 70.6 points per game, shooting 48.4 percent from the floor (484 of 999), 40.8 percent from 3-point range (104 of 255) and 71.7 percent from the free throw line (339 of 473). The opposition has averaged 65.7 points per game and shot 44.3 percent from the field (435 of 983). The Gorillas rank third in the MIAA in scoring defense. SCOUTING THE BRONCHOS Central Oklahoma has two players scoring in double figures senior guard Mahlon Jones (13.6 ppg) and redshirt freshman guard Garen Wright (11.0ppg) and three players scoring more than eight points a game junior guard Seth Heckart (9.9 ppg), senior forward Philip Brown (9.6 ppg) and junior forward Cal Andrews (8.7 ppg). Brown is shooting a team-best 63.7 percent from the field and grabbing a 4.9 rebounds per game. Heckart averages a team-high 3.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He also has made a team-leading 53 3-pointers As a team, UCO has averaged an MIAA-leading 80.8 points per game and shot 48.9 percent from the field. The Bronchos also rank second in the league in field goal percentage defense (.419). UCO PROBABLE STARTERS F 23 Corbin Byford, 6-7, 220, So., Velma, Okla. F 32 Philip Brown, 6-7, 240, Sr., San Antonio, Texas G 00 Garen Wright, 6-4, 210, R-Fr., Oklahoma City, Okla. G 02 Darrius Bryson, 6-2, 190, Sr., Oklahoma City, Okla. G 13 Mahlon Jones, 6-1, 185, Sr., Oklahoma City, Okla. PITT STATE PROBABLE STARTERS F 24 Trevor Gregory, 6-7, 235, So., Lee s Summit, Mo. F 33 Connor Kjer, 6-6, 218, Sr., La Habra, Calif. G 3 Javis Flynn, 5-10, 170, Jr., Watonga, Okla. G 4 Josiah Gustafson, 6-6, 190, So., Omaha, Neb. G 5 Devon Branch, 6-6, 180, Sr., Aberdeen, Md. 2 GORILLAS VS. NSU, UCO JAN , 2015

3 Kevin Muff, Head Coach Kevin Muff enters his fifth year as head basketball coach at Pittsburg State University after being hired to the position on April 5, Muff has compiled a (.518) record in three seasons at Pitt State. He led the Gorillas to an record the squad s highest win total since the campaign and an appearance in the second round of the MIAA Postseason Tournament in Muff guided the Gorillas to a record and a berth in the finals of the MIAA Postseason Tournament in Muff, 50, a former assistant coach at Pitt State from , returned to campus after serving the past 12 seasons as head coach at Cloud County Community College in Concordia, Kan., where he averaged 21 wins per season over his last five years at the school. Prior to his assignment at Cloud County, Muff coached five seasons at Wamego High School, leading the school to a Kansas Class 4A state runner-up finish in He was named the Flint Hills Area Coach of the Year during the season. He served as the top assistant at Pittsburg State from 1991 to 1993 under former head coach Dennis Hill, after serving as a graduate assistant for the Gorillas in Muff helped the Gorillas post a 21-8 record during the campaign the school s first 20-win season in two decades. That Pitt State squad rose to a top 10 national ranking and the Gorillas upset No. 1 ranked Washburn, 72-71, before a school record crowd of 5,000 fans at John Lance Arena on Jan. 18, Pitt State narrowly missed the NCAA Division II National Tournament that year at the time only four teams in each region qualified for the postseason and the Gorillas finished the season ranked fifth in the South Central Region. Prior to joining the Pitt State staff, Muff served as an assistant basketball coach at Atwood High School from He served as a student assistant coach at Kansas State University under former Wildcats head coach Lon Kruger during the season. Muff, a member of the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, served as the president of the Kansas Jayhawk Conference Basketball Coaches Association from He was extremely active in the community of Concordia, Kan., serving as a volunteer coach for Concordia Youth Basketball and a volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Cloud County. Muff also served as a lector at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Muff, a Salina, Kan., native, was a two-year basketball letterman at Kansas State during the and seasons. He transferred to K-State after playing two seasons at Cloud County Community College, where he was a first-team NJCAA All-Region VI selection as a sophomore in Muff was both a McDonalds and Converse High School All-America selection as a senior during the season at Salina Central High School. Muff earned a bachelor s of science degree in education (BSed) in social science from Kansas State University in 1986 and a master s of science degree (MS) in physical education from Pittsburg State University in He is married to the former Kim Kidd. Kevin and Kim have three daughters: Alex (22), Skyler (20) and Taylor (14). Assistant Coaches Ryan Stock Preston Ingram (Southwest Baptist, 2003) (Evangel, 2004) Fifth Season on the Pitt State Staff Second Season on the Pitt State Staff Pitt State Numerical Roster NO NAME POS HT WT CL EXP HOMETOWN / PREVIOUS SCHOOL 3 Javis Flynn (JAY-vis) G Jr. TR Watonga, Okla. / Pratt Community College 4 Josiah Gustafson G So. 1L Omaha, Neb. / Millard North High School 5 Devon Branch (duh-von) G Sr. 1L Aberdeen, Md. / University of Oregon 10 Adrian Fernandez G Fr. HS Majadahonda, Spain / Club Baloncesto Majadahonda 11 Trey Sparks G Jr. TR Springfield, Mo. / Seward County Community College 15 Lucas Wilson F Fr. HS Paola, Kan. / Paola High School 20 Lamine Dieng (luh-mean JANG) F Jr. RS Thies, Senegal / Vincennes University 21 Sam Pugh G Sr. 3L Branson, Mo. / Branson High School 22 Denton Hays F Jr. 2L Tulsa, Okla. / Jenks High School 24 Trevor Gregory F So. 1L Lee s Summit, Mo. / Lee s Summit West High School 32 Dakota Jones G Fr. HS Warrensburg, Mo. / Warrensburg High School 33 Connor Kjer (CARE) G/F Sr. 1L La Habra, Calif. / St. Edward s University 35 x-cody Gafford - injured F Sr. SQ Olathe, Kan. / Olathe East High School 42 x- Hunter Leahy - injured F Fr. RS Kingwood, Texas / Kingwood High School Head Coach: Kevin Muff (Kansas State, 1986) Assistant Coaches: Ryan Stock (Southwest Baptist, 2003), Preston Ingram (Evangel, 2004) GORILLAS VS. NSU, UCO JAN ,

4 MIAA Overall MIAA STANDINGS W L Pct. W L Pct. Streak Lindenwood University W2 Pittsburg State University W3 University of Central Missouri W2 Northwest Missouri State University W3 Missouri Southern State University L1 University of Nebraska-Kearney L2 Fort Hays State University W1 University of Central Oklahoma W1 Washburn University L1 Missouri Western State University L2 Emporia State University W2 Southwest Baptist University L2 Northeastern State University L2 Lincoln University L12 Upcoming Schedule Feb. 7 MWSU, 3:30 p.m. UCO, 3:30 p.m. UCM, 3:30 p.m. NWMSU, 3:30 p.m. FHSU, 4 p.m. UNK, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 LWU, 7:30 p.m. LU, 7:30 p.m. NWMSU, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 PSU, 7:30 p.m. WU, 7:30 p.m. MWSU, 3:30 p.m. ESU, 7:30 p.m Pitt State Player Biographies Javis Flynn JR G Watonga, Okla. Devon Branch SR G Aberdeen, Md. General: First-year player transferred to Pitt State from Pratt Community College a talented point guard who will look to make an immediate impact for the Gorillas this winter. In Junior College: A second-team Jayhawk Conference West selection as a sophomore at Pratt Community College in 2014 averaged eight points, four rebounds and nine assists per game for the Beavers. In High School: A first-team All-District performer as a senior at Watonga High School as a senior in 2012 averaged 20 points, five rebounds and seven assists per game also an All- State performer in football. Personal: Son of Bege Holdge a physical education major. Josiah Gustafson SO G Omaha, Neb. General: Second-year player a talented, versatile athlete who enjoyed a solid freshman campaign a hard worker who is poised for a big sophomore season. In : Started 16 of 26 games played averaged 8.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game shot 80.6 percent from the free throw line (54 of 67) scored in double figures 10 times, including a season-high 16 points vs. Northwest Missouri (Dec. 5) recorded a season-best five rebounds on five occasions. In High School: A three-year starter and four-year letterman at Omaha s Millard North High School earned Gatorade Nebraska Player of the Year honors averaging 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists per contest also was selected first-team All-Super State. Personal: Born June 3, 1994 son of Gus and Julie Gustafson a member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll has a 3.67 GPA as a recreation major. General: Second-year player... a returning All-MIAA performer who is primed for a big senior season will be counted on for senior leadership for the Gorillas transferred to Pitt State from the University of Oregon. In : Started all 23 games played scored a teamleading 476 points, averaging 20.7 points per game also contributed a team-leading 5.3 rebounds per game and shot 50.5 percent from the field (164 of 325) dished out 71 assists (3.1 apg), blocked 15 shots (0.7 bpg) and made 25 steals (1.1 spg) leading the team in blocked shots and steals garnered third-team All-MIAA honors scored 30 or more points three times, including a season-best 34-point effort in the regular season finale vs. Washburn (Mar. 1) scored 20 or more points 14 times on the season. In Junior College: Spent two seasons at Cloud County CC... averaged 22.0 points per game, earning first-team All-Jayhawk Conference honors... during his freshman season averaged 14.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest, while finishing second on the team in steals and assists finished the season as a second-team All-Jayhawk Western Conference selection and earned second-team All-Region VI honors. In High School: A standout prep player at Aberdeen (Md.) High School averaged 24.0 points per game a four-year starter. Personal: Born April 23, son of Geneva Branch... a general studies major. 4 GORILLAS VS. NSU, UCO JAN , 2015

5 Adrian Fernandez FR G Majadahonda, Spain General: First-year player a talented backcourt player who will look to transition to the American game for the Gorillas this winter. In Spain: Averaged 19.5 points, four assists and three assists at Club Baloncesto Majadahonda. Personal: Born February 14, 1995 son of Jose Maria Fernandez and Isabel Zerolo an international business major. Lucas Wilson FR F Paola, Kan. General: First-year player a talented frontcourt player who will look to transition to the college game for the Gorillas this winter. In High School: An honorable mention Kansas Class 4A All-State performer as a senior at Paola High in 2014 averaged 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game, helping the Panthers to an 18-7 overall record and a sub-state title also an honorable mention All-State wide receiver in football. Personal: Born October 27, 1995 son of Jeff and Kelli Wilson an undeclared major. Lamine Dieng JR F Thies, Senegal General: Second-year player... redshirted in his initial season in the Pitt State program to recover from a knee injury appears fully healed and ready to make a significant contribution in the post for the Gorillas this winter transferred to Pitt State from Vincennes University. In : Redshirt season. In Junior College: Spent two seasons at Vincennes University... averaged four points and four rebounds both seasons for the Trailblazers helped the team to a 33-4 record and a fourth-place finish in the NJCAA Division I National Tournament last season. In High School: Attended high school in Thies, Senegal. Personal: Born January 1, an international business major. Sam Pugh SR G Branson, Mo. General: Fourth-year player a hard-working, veteran guard on the Pitt State squad expected to be a significant contributor for the Gorillas again this winter. In : Started eight of 18 games played sidelined for eight games due to injury averaged 10.7 points and 2.9 assists per game shot 47.5 percent from the field (58 of 122) and 51.8 percent from 3-point range (43 of 83) scored 10 or more points 11 times, including a career-high 22 points vs. Eastern New Mexico (Nov. 29) logged a double-double with 12 points and a career-best 10 assists vs. Avila (Nov. 23) hit six 3-pointers vs. Eastern New Mexico. In : Saw action in 27 games, including 10 starts averaged 3.8 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per contest in 17.5 minutes per game recorded a career-high 14 points vs. William Jewell on Nov. 28. In : Saw action in all 31 games, including 12 starts averaged 3.7 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in 17.5 minutes of action scored a season-high 10 points vs. Washburn (Jan. 11) logged eight points and a season-best six assists vs. Central Oklahoma (Nov. 22) shot 83.8 percent from the free throw line (31-37) on the year. In High School: A three-year starter at Branson High School earned All-Area and All- Conference honors as a senior, averaging 15.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game also set the BHS record for career assists. Personal: Born November 7, 1992 son of Charlie and Anita Pugh a three-year member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll has a 3.53 GPA as a management major. Denton Hays JR F Tulsa, Okla. General: Third-year player a talented frontcourt player who is evolving into a frontline athlete expected to play a key role for the Gorillas again this winter. In : Rejoined the squad in January, after spending the first semester at the University of Oklahoma as a student saw action in 19 games in a reserve role averaged 2.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game scored a career-high 10 points vs. Lincoln (Jan. 6) pulled down a career-best eight rebounds twice. In : Appeared in 27 games, including five starts averaged 1.9 points and 2.1 rebounds on the year scored a season-high six points twice on the year pulled down seven rebounds against Missouri Southern on Feb. 27 ranked third on the team with nine blocks. In High School: An honorable mention Oklahoma Class 6A All-State performer as a senior at Jenks High in 2012 also an All-Metro and All-Conference selection a three-year starter for the Trojans averaged 9.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots per game his senior year, helping JHS to regional and area titles an honor roll student. Personal: Born June 7, 1994 son of Tim and Kimra Hays a member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll has a 3.09 GPA as an exercise science major. Trevor Gregory SO F Lee s Summit, Mo. General: Second-year player a talented post player who saw significant action as a freshman in a hard worker who will look to help the Gorillas frontcourt game again this winter. In : Started 23 of 26 games for the Gorillas averaged 5.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game converted a team-leading 62.3 percent from the field (43 of 69) scored in double figures twice, including a season-best 16 points vs. Bethany (Nov. 22) had a season-high 12 rebounds vs. Central Oklahoma (Feb. 8). In High School: A four-year starter at Lee s Summit West High School earned All-District and All-Conference honors as a senior, averaging 8.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game helped the Titans to a 43-6 combined record his junior and senior seasons. Personal: Born August 23, 1994 son of Jeff and Sheri Gregory an electronics engineering technology major. Dakota Jones FR G Warrensburg, Mo. General: First-year player a talented backcourt player who will look to transition to the college game for the Gorillas this winter. In High School: A two-time first-team Missouri Class 4A All-State performer at Warrensburg High School averaged 22 points per game for the Tigers, helping WHS to a conference title eclipsed the 1,500 point club as a four-year starter. Personal: Born June 2, 1996 son of Morris and Shanoah Jones an undeclared major. GORILLAS VS. NSU, UCO JAN ,

6 Conner Kjer SR G/F La Habra, Calif. General: Second-year player... a talented combo player who enjoyed a productive junior season figures to play a key role for the Gorillas again this winter. In : Started 11 of 25 games played averaged 7.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game shot 45.3 percent from the field (62 of 137) and 39.3 percent from 3-point range (35 of 89) scored 10 or more points eight times, including a seasonbest 18 points vs. Avila (Nov. 23) averaged 11.3 points in the Gorillas final six games made a season-high four 3-pointers vs. Missouri Southern (Feb. 22). At St. Edward s: Spent two seasons at St. Edward s University... averaged 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game as a sophomore. In High School: A three-year starter at Sonora High School averaged 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game earned All-County honors during his senior season also a first-team All-League selection his junior and senior seasons helped the Raiders to a 27-3 record as a junior and 22-7 finish his senior year. Personal: Born July 13, son of Kevin and Melinda Kjer... an exercise science major. Cody Gafford SR F Olathe, Kan. General: Second-year player joined the Pitt State program in after being away from basketball for three years played in three games before suffering a season-ending injury a promising frontcount player who will look to compete for significant action for the Gorillas this winter. In : Saw action in three games, including one start, before suffering a season-ending injury averaged 3.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in limited action converted four of five shots from the field (.800). In High School: A two-year starter at Olathe East High School helped the Hawks claim a 2009 sub-state championship. Personal: Born June 1, 1992 son of Rick and Debbie Gafford... a member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll has a 3.19 GPA as a dual automotive technology and management major. Hunter Leahy FR-RS F Kingwood, Texas General: Second-year player a talented athlete who made the most of a redshirt season for the Gorillas will look to vie for action in the Pitt State frontcourt this season. In : Redshirt season. In High School: A three-year letterman at Kingwood High School averaged 11.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists during his senior season was also named to the McDonald s Texas Invitational All-Tournament team. Personal: Born October 16, 1994 son of Tom and Jennifer Leahy an electronics engineering technology major. 6 GORILLAS VS. NSU, UCO JAN , 2015

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