Defensive effort keeps Pitt State women undefeated in MIAA play

(From Pittsburg State University Athletics)

The Pittsburg State had made only four second half baskets and Lindenwood had cut a 15-point Gorilla lead to only three with only five minutes left in Saturday's (Jan. 14) game. The Pitt State defense held strong, forced a couple turnovers and the offense found a way to hang on for a 78-69 win. The Gorillas are now 16-1 and 8-0 in MIAA play.

Lindenwood went on a 14-3 run from the end of the third quarter to midway through the fourth to come within three, 64-61. During that nearly seven minute span, Pitt State's only points came from the free throw line. Finally, Madison Northcutt broke the drought with a layup and Mikaela Burgess followed with a three on the next trip down the court to take the lead back to eight with 4:21 to go. The lead would hang around there as the defense locked down. Burgess and Paige Lungwitz added back-to-back layups to take the lead back to double digits with under a minute left. Lungwitz free throws sandwiched between Lindenwood baskets resulted in the 78-69 final.

Pitt State led by as many as 15 three different times, including a 48-33 half time score. That first half padding helped the Gorillas through their shooting woes in the second half. PItt State scored the first points of the game and never looked back. Their first double digit lead came on a Burgess three in the midst of a 9-0 run with 2:56 to go in the first quarter.

Despite struggle offensively, four Pitt State players scored in double figures. Burgess led the team with 20 points. Northcutt added 15 points and led the team with 10 rebounds for a double-double. Hadyn Herlocker chipped in 13 points and Brenlee McPherson came off the bench to contribute 11.

Pitt State shot only 36 percent for the game, including only 22 percent in the second half. The team has only had one worse shooting night this season. The Gorillas were helped by 23 points from the charity stripe. Lindenwood committed 23 turnovers in the game, as opposed to only 12 for the Gorillas. Pitt State had seven steals and scored 13 points off Lindenwood turnovers.

The Gorillas will be on the road next week. The team will take on No. 2 Emporia State in White Auditorium in Emporia on Wednesday (Jan. 18) at 5:30 p.m. It will then travel to Topeka to face Washburn at 5 p.m. on Saturday.