PITTSBURG, Kan. -- In a defensive game that came down to the final seconds, No. 2 Pitt State lost to No. 3 Emporia State, 65-61, in overtime. It was the first conference loss for the Gorillas, leaving only one team, Fort Hays State, yet undefeated in league play. 

The Gorillas fall to 15-2 overall and 5-1 in MIAA play, while the Lady Hornets improve to 14-1 overall and 7-1 in the conference.

Pitt State had a chance to tie the game, down two, 63-61, with 15 seconds to play. Lizzy Jeronimus missed a jumper, but Kylie Gafford grabbed the offense rebound for another shot. She missed the put back and Emporia State's Kelly Moten was fouled on the rebound with just one second left. A technical was also called on the Gorilla bench. Emporia State made two of the four free throws for the final 65-61 win. Emporia State outscored the Gorillas 9-5 in the overtime period, with five of those points coming from the free throw line.

Neither team led by more than six in the game. There were 12 ties and 14 lead changes in a game that saw both teams shoot under 40 percent from the field. 

Jeronimus led all players with 19 points. Cathy Brugman added 11, as she was 3-for-3 from three-point range. Kylie Gafford was just under double figures with nine points and led the team with eight rebounds. The Gorillas blocked nine shots on the night, Gafford (4) and Brugman (3) combined for seven of them. 

Merissa Quick led the Hornets with 17 points and three blocked shots. Moten added 15 and Addie Lackey, 14. Kathryn Flott led the Lady Hornets with 8 rebounds. Emporia State outrebounded the Gorillas by three 47-44. 

Emporia State led by two, 29-27 at the half. The Gorillas used their last points of the first half and a 6-0 run to start the second half to go up by four, 33-29, with just under 18 minutes to go. That was the largest run of the game by either team. 

Neither team led by more than three from 13:10 until 2:40 remaining in regulation when Brugman hit a three to put the Gorillas up 54-50. Two Quick free throws cut the lead back to two, but a Hesser layup put the Gorillas back up by four again. Quick hit two tough jumpers to tie the game at 56-56 with 30 seconds left, but neither team was able to score again to end the game in regulation. 

Pitt State will face another top 25 team on Saturday as No. 18 Washburn comes to Pittsburg for a 1:30 p.m. tip.