KOAM TV 7 Joplin and PittsburgHot Shooting Gorillas Get Back on Track Against Missouri Western

Hot Shooting Gorillas Get Back on Track Against Missouri Western

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - A hot shooting Gorilla team downed Missouri Western,86-68, on Saturday (Jan. 21). Senior Forward Brooke Conley put together one of her strongest all around performances of the season, recording 20 points and nine rebounds.

Four payers scored in double figures for Pittsburg State. Conley's 20 points and nine boards led the Gorillas. Drew Roberts picked up her scoring with 12 points, nine of which came in the huge Pittsburg State first half. Lizzy Jeronimus also recorded 12 points in a 5-of-7 shooting performance. Alexa Bordewick hit three, three point jumpers and another field goal for 11 points. Morgan Westhoff added seven points off the bench.

It was all PSU from the opening tip as the Gorillas (16-2, 10-1) jumped out to an 11-0 lead in the first three minutes of the contest and never looked back. Brooke Conley hit two jumpers and found Jeronimus in transition for an uncontested layup. Roberts hit an open three-point jumper from the corner on the next possession. A Jeronimus steal and layup forced a Missouri Western timeout.

Pitt State shot a remarkable .615 (16-25) from the field, .467 (7-15) from behind the three point arc, and a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe in the opening half. The Gorillas took a 45-18 lead into the locker room.

PSU shot .492 (29-59) from the field overall, .467 (14-30) from three point territory and .857 (14-16) from the free throw line. Without forward Larissa Richards, who missed the game due to injury, the Gorillas still managed to out-rebound the Griffons 43-39.

Jessica Koch led the Griffons with 21 points. Ashleigh Curry recorded a double-double with 11 points and a game high 13 rebounds in the losing effort.

The 18 points Missouri Western recorded in the first half is the fewest Pittsburg State has surrendered in a half this season.

The Gorillas have a home contest against Truman on Wednesday (Jan. 25) at 5:30 p.m. before heading to Warrensburg, Mo. to take on Central Missouri on Saturday (Jan. 28) at 1:30 p.m. (CST)