WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- Shelby Winkelmann missed a 3-pointer with two seconds to play in regulation as No. 5 Pittsburg State University escaped with a hard-fought 54-52 victory over the University of Central Missouri Thursday (Jan. 8).

The Gorillas (14-1, 4-0 MIAA) led by as many as 12 points early in the first half, but the Jennies (10-4, 5-1 MIAA) battled back to tie the game at the intermission and the squads engaged in a back-and-forth battle in the game's final 20 minutes.

Pitt State never trailed by more than two points against UCM, but the Gorillas could not build a lead of more than five points in the second stanza.

UCM's zone defense forced the Gorillas into five of 19 shooting from 3-point range and 19 of 55 shooting (.345) overall.

Antqunita Reed scored 10 points in the game, all in the second half. She scored Pitt State's final four points -- a jumper that gave the Gorillas a 52-47 lead with 2:58 remaining and a pair of free throws that gave Pitt State a 54-49 edge with 1:24 to go.

Justina Prairie Chief made a driving layup to trim the margin to 54-51 with 1:02 left and after a Pitt State turnover, Breonna Embray made one of two free throws with 44 seconds to go for the game's final margin.

Lizzy Jeronimus, who was limited to a season-low six points on 3-for-14 shooting, missed a 3-pointer with 17 seconds remaining to leave the door open for UCM's final possession.

Kylie Gafford led the Gorillas with 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots. Paige Lungwitz, Mikaela Burgess and Morgan Westhoff all added six points for Pitt State.

Winkelmann led all scorers with 16 points, while Prairie Chieff added 13 points. Revonnia Howard also logged a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. UCM shot just 35.2 percent from the floor (19 of 54) in the game, including one of 10 shooting from 3-point range.

The Gorillas will return to action Saturday (Jan. 10) when they travel to St. Joseph, Mo., to face Missouri Western State University at 1:30 p.m. The Griffons dropped a 57-56 home decision to No. 1 ranked Emporia State University Thursday.