HAYS, Kan. -- A stagnant second quarter for the Gorilla offense and a hot-shooting Fort Hays State team led to a 77-57 loss for the Pitt State women's basketball team on Saturday (January 2). Pitt State falls to 10-3 on the season and 4-3 in MIAA play. The Tigers improve to 11-1 over and 5-1 in the league.

After a close 19-14 first quarter, the second quarter was challenging for the Gorillas. Fort Hays State opened the second quarter on a 10-0 run. Though Pitt State would answer to stop that run, the offensive woes would continue as another 10-0 run gave the Tigers a 41-18 lead. Hadyn Herlocker hit a three with 24 seconds left in the half to cut the home team's lead to 41-21, as the Gorillas put up only seven points in the second quarter.

Pitt State started to whittle at the lead in the third quarter, but could not overcome the Tigers' 47 percent shooting for the game. The Tigers took the lead back to 20 early in the fourth quarter and would keep it there.

The Gorillas were also hurt by 18 turnovers, which the Tigers used to score 33 points. The Tigers also outrebounded the Gorillas by seven, including 12 offensive rebounds, resulting in 18 second chance points.

The Gorillas were led by Cathy Brugman with 17 points, 12 of which she scored in the first half. Hadyn Herlocker added 11 points. Brugman and Herlocker each made three threes for Pitt State, as the team hit nine from long range in the game. Madison Northcutt was the team's leading rebounder with six.
Pitt State was a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line.

Fort Hays State's Chelsea Mason led the Tigers with 16 points. Jill Faxon added 13 and Beth Bohuslavsky, 10.

The Gorillas will look to bounce back from the loss as they take on Nebraska-Kearney in Kearney on Monday (January 4) at 5:30 p.m.