Gorilla Women Topple Tigers - KOAM TV 7

Gorilla Women Topple Tigers

HAYS, Kan. -- Pitt State's women's basketball team (7-7, 5-5 MIAA) overcame an early second half surge by Fort Hays State (6-8, 3-7 MIAA) to take a 53-42 victory from Gross Memorial Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. The Gorillas were helped by 40 percent shooting from three-point range.

Four of the Gorillas eight threes on the afternoon were hit by Brooke Conley, who came off the bench to lead all players with 14 points. Drew Roberts also added double figures with 12, nine of which she scored in the second half. Larissa Richards finished just short of a double-double with nine points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Early in the second half, Fort Hays was able to take the lead from the Gorillas, help by a strong presence on the glass. The team had only a three rebound lead on Pitt State at the end of the first half, but built that margin to eight. Pitt State fought back on the boards and Conley hit back-to-back threes right before the five minute media time out to help secure the win.

Pitt State led 23-20 at the half, despite a five minute scoring freeze from 9:27 to 4:35. The Gorillas were helped maintain their lead by forcing 14 Tiger turnovers in the first half alone. PSU also held the usually hot shooting Fort Hays team to just 22 percent shooting from three-point range in the first half.

FHSU was led by Kelsie Sorenson with 12 points and Kara Champlin with 10. Pitt State was able to hold the Tigers to only three threes in the game.

The Gorillas return home next week for games on Wednesday and Saturday. Wednesday the team finishes the first half of the conference schedule as it takes on Nebraska-Omaha at 5:30 p.m. Saturday Pitt State starts the conference over as Missouri Western comes to John Lance Arena at 1:30 p.m.