“Number 13 Gorillas Surge Ahead Against MSSU!”

PITTSBURG — The women’s basketball team at Pittsburg State University executed a 9-0 surge early in the fourth quarter to open up a tightly contested four-point game, ultimately winning 84-72 against Missouri Southern State University on Tuesday (Jan. 7).
 
The No. 13 ranked Gorillas (13-2, 5-0 MIAA) maintained their perfect record in MIAA competition and secured their fourth consecutive victory in front of 1,492 spectators at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.
 
Karenna Gerber, the current MIAA Player of the Week, achieved her 28^th career double-double with game-leading statistics of 22 points and 11 rebounds in this match. She converted seven out of nine attempts from the field during the game.
 
The contest saw Pitt State and MSSU (11-6, 3-2 MIAA) tied at 50-50 with 2:33 remaining in the third period, when Hannah Nilges sank a couple of 3-pointers, giving the Gorillas a 56-50 advantage heading into the final quarter.
 
The Lions narrowed the gap to 56-52, but Pitt State responded with nine unanswered points, extending their lead to 65-52 with 6:25 left on the clock. The Gorillas increased their advantage to 15 points (71-56) before concluding the game with a 12-point margin of victory.
 
Grace Pyle and Macie Mays contributed with 19 and 17 points, respectively, while Nilges led the team with four 3-pointers, finishing with 12 points. Mays recorded a personal best of nine rebounds.
 
Kennedy Roach scored 20 points for the Lions, and Ryan Franklin added 19 points.
 
Having just completed a three-game home series, Pitt State will head to Wichita on Thursday (Jan. 9) for an MIAA showdown against Newman University.