ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Despite a second half surge by a feisty Griffon team, the Gorilla women's basketball team held on for a 81-71 win at Missouri Western on Saturday (January 10). Pitt State improves to 15-1 on the season a 5-0 in MIAA play.

Lizzy Jeronimus led the Gorillas with 27 points and four assists. Kylie Gafford added 14 points and shared the lead in rebounds with Hailey Roderique and Cathy Brugman, all with four. Morgan Westhoff came off the bench to add 11 points. She was 3-for-4 from three-point range and 4-for-5 overall. All 11 players seeing time in the game scored.

The first eight minutes of the game the teams stayed close with four ties and five lead changes. The Gorillas trailed 12-9 with 12:49 to go. Westhoff hits her first three to tie the game and start a 25-3 Pitt State run that lasted over seven minutes to give the Gorillas a 34-15 lead.

The Griffons were able to score a little more in the last four minutes of the half, but the Gorillas still kept them at arms length to lead 44-29 at the half.

Though Pitt State was outscored by the Griffons early in the second half, Pitt State didn't let them closer than 10 points until the 2:55 mark. LaQuinta Jefferson hit a layup to cut the Gorilla lead,  75-66.

With a minute to go, Missouri Western cut the lead further, 78-70, on a jumper down low by Ariana Novak. A Novak free throw put the Griffons within seven.
On the other end, Hailey Roderique missed a three, but Cathy Brugman grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled. She made the first of her two charity shots. Another Griffon turnover and a quick foul sent Jeronimus to the line with 27 seconds to go. She hit both for the final 81-71 score. The Gorilla defense held off any other attempts to score by the Griffons to hang on to the double digit win.

The Griffons' Jefferson led all players with 29 points. Miliakere Koyamainavure added 10.

Pitt State has a tough week ahead next week. The week begins on Wednesday with a top 5 matchup as No. 1 Emporia State, who suffered its first loss of the season to Central Missouri on Saturday, comes to John Lance Arena for a 5:30 p.m. tip. It will be Alzheimers Awareness night. Fans are encouraged to bring old iPods to donate to patients suffering from the disease, as play lists can be put on them to help with memory. It is also Heroes vs. Villains night for the Gorilla Student Section.