ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – LaQuinta Jefferson scored a game-high 24 points to lead No. 17 Missouri Western State University to an 83-75 victory over Pittsburg State University in women's basketball action Thursday (Dec. 10) at the MWSU Fieldhouse.
 
The Griffons (8-0, 3-0 MIAA) remained unbeaten by building a double-digit lead, 45-33, at halftime, then holding off the Gorillas (6-1, 2-1 MIAA) in the final 20 minutes of play.

Pitt State rushed out to a 7-2 lead to open the game, but Western countered with an 8-0 run to take a 10-7 lead on Chelsea Dewey's layup with 3:59 to play in the first quarter. The Gorillas closed within a point, at 23-22, with 7:1 remaining in the second quarter but the Griffons broke the game open with an 11-0 run to make it a 34-22 game with 5:15 to play in the first half.

MWSU expanded its margin to as many as 21 points, 63-42, on Melia Richardson's layup with 3:52 to play in the third quarter.

Pitt State battled back to close within seven points in the game's final two minutes but Jefferson and Sarafina Handy sealed the victory by making a pair of free throws apiece in the game's final 21 seconds.

Sefulu Faavae and M. Koyamainavure scored 13 points apiece for the Griffons, who shot 49.2 percent (29-59) from the field in the game. Julia Torres added 11 points.

Kylie Gafford finished the game with 22 points and a game-high nine rebounds for the Gorillas, coming one point from equalling her career high scoring output. Mikaela Burgess (18), Paige Imhoff (12) and Cathy Brugman (12) also scored in double figures for Pitt State.

The Gorillas will return to action Sunday (Dec. 13) when they travel to Maryville, Mo., to face MIAA rival Northwest Missouri State University at 1:30 p.m. (CST).