PITTSBURG -- The Pittsburg State women's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday (Dec. 31) afternoon, as they fell 78-70 to Emporia State in a non-conference game. 

There were 16 ties and 20 lead changes in the highly competitive and physical game. The game was tied 67-67 with 3:15 remaining before the Lady Hornets went on an 8-0 run over the next 2:45 to seal their win. 

Pitt State held the lead for over 19 minutes of the game, including their last lead, 63-61, with 4:39 remaining. The Gorillas led most of the first half. They held a 35-31 lead, PSU's largest of the game, with 1:54 to go in the opening half. Emporia State's Kathryn Flott made a layup and followed that with a three to give the Lady Hornets the lead with 39 seconds to go. After several Gorilla offensive rebounds, Mikaela Burgess drove in for a layup to give Pitt State the 37-36 half time lead. 

Ten of the 16 ties came in the second half as the two teams battled for control of the game. Neither team was able to take charge until the final three minutes.

Pitt State was led by Mikaela Burgess with 22 points. She was 10-of-10 from the free throw line, but did not make a three in the game. Madison Northcutt was just short of a double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds, including six offensive boards. Paige Lungwitz also hit double figures with 10 points. 

The Emporia State defense was able to shut down an important part of the Gorillas' game, allowing the home team to shoot only 2-for-11 from three-point range. Both threes for the Gorillas were made in the first quarter. Pitt State Head Coach Lane Lord also attributed rebounding, especially 25 offensive rebounds by ESU, to the loss. Emporia State outrebounded the Gorillas 47-33. 

ESU's Kelly Moten led all players with 27 points, while Flott added 19 points and 15 rebounds. 

Pitt State will have a quick bounce back as they will travel to Northwestern Oklahoma to face the 3-6 Rangers from the Great American Conference at 5:30 p.m. on January 2.