PITTSBURG – Fueled by 4-for-5 three-point shooting in the first quarter, the Gorilla women's basketball team continued to stretch their lead into a 84-64 win over Arkansas Fort Smith on Saturday (November 19). 

Mikaela Burgess led four Gorillas in double figures with 20 points. Hadyn Herlocker and Shelby Lopez each added 16 points, while Madison Northcutt scored 10. Both Northcutt and Herlocker were just short of double-doubles. Northcutt led the team with nine rebounds, while Herlocker had nine assists. Herlocker also led the team with three steals and was important on the boards with seven. Paige Lungwitz also added eight points, seven rebounds and six assists. 

The Gorillas shot 43 percent (15-35) from three, while holding the Lions to just 21 percent (4-19). The 15 threes made in the game are the third-most in school history. The team also had assists on 21 of its 27 made shots. 

Elena Flott made the Gorillas first shot of the game, a three, and from there the team never looked back. The first double digit lead didn't come until the second quarter, on a three by Herlocker as the period began to put the Gorillas up 25-14. The Lions were able to cut the lead to seven, but Paige Lungwitz brought it back to double figures with a three. 

After the lead was cut to eight again with 3:32 to go in the first half, the Gorillas went on a 10-0 run to take a 40-22 lead. The largest lead of the fit half came on a Lopez free throw with 30 seconds remaining.

The second half was more of the same. Burgess gave Pitt State its first 20-point lead with a three with 8:43 to go. The Lions were able to to cut Pitt State's lead to 12, but the Gorillas easily stretched it back out. Pitt State's highest lead was 22, 79-57 on Burgess free throws with 2:28 left in the game. 

The Gorillas will leave for Puerto Rico on Monday to take part in the Puerto Rico Classic in San Juan. The team will take on Pontifical Catholic at 11 a.m. on Wednesday (Nov. 23), West Alabama at 9 a.m. on Thursday and Puerto Rico Rio Piedras at 1 p.m. on Friday. Eddie Lomshek will broadcast all the games on KKOW AM 860. Fans can also follow the trip on the Gorillas official social media outlets @PittStGorillas on Twitter, @PittStAthletics on Instagram or Pitt State Athletics on Facebook.