KOAM TV 7 Joplin and PittsburgGorillas Use Late Surge to Top Truman

Gorillas Use Late Surge to Top Truman

PITTSBURG - The Gorilla women's basketball team (17-2,11-1) turned in an impressive effort in the second half to erase a big halftime deficit to defeat Truman State 73-68 in John Lance Arena on Wednesday (Jan. 25).

Lizzy Jeronimus was the leading scorer and rebounder for the Gorillas. The true freshman turned in an impressive 23 points and seven rebounds effort. Alexa Bordewick and Brooke Conley were the other two Pittsburg State players who recorded double figures with 15 and 11, respectively. Drew Roberts added eight points and Amanda Orloske had a crucial six points off the bench.

It was a tale of two halves for Pitt State. After trailing by double figures for most of the first half, including as many as 15, and by 13 at the halftime, the Gorillas were able to battle back to earn the win.

Pitt state started the second half on a 14-3 run that cut the Bulldog lead to two. After the two teams went back and fourth for much of the remaining period, two Jeronimus free throws tied the game at 62 with 2:59 left on the clock. Two Bordewick free throws gave the Gorillas their first lead since the 17:53 mark in the first half.

The game was tied with a minute left until Conley found an open Jeronimus under the basket for an easy layup to give the Gorillas the lead with just 47 ticks on the clock. The Bulldogs turned the ball over after a timeout with 26 seconds left, forcing Truman to foul. Bordewick missed both free throws, but Jeronimus was able to secure the rebound, forcing yet another Bulldog foul.

Jeronimus hit both of her free throws giving the Gorillas a 70-66 advantage. Truman was able to easily advance the ball the length of the court for a lay up. With a two point advantage and just 12 seconds left in the game Truman again fouled Bordewick, who made both of the free throws.

PSU shot .444 (24-54) from the field for the game, .125 (1-8) from three point territory and .800 (24-30) from the free throw line. Without forward Larissa Richards, who missed her second game due to injury, the Gorillas were out-rebounded by the Bulldogs 31-38.

Truman State made more field goals (29-24) and three-pointers (4-1) than Pitt State, but it was Pitt State's performance at the line that helped secure the win. Though Truman was a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe, the Gorillas went to the line five times as often and hit on 24 of their 30 attempts.

Jennifer Conway matched Jeronimus with 23 points for Truman. Becka McHenry recorded a triple-double with 14 points, a game high10 rebounds and 10 assists. Nicole Gloor chipped in 11 points off the bench for the Bulldogs.

The Gorillas head to Warrensburg, Mo. to take on Central Missouri on Saturday (Jan. 28) at 1:30 p.m. (CST). They then return to the comfy confines of John Lance Arena on Wednesday (Feb.1) to take on Southwest Baptist.