KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kathryn Flott and Kelly Moten scored 17 points apiece to spark fourth seeded Emporia State University to an 80-66 victory over second seeded Pittsburg State University in the Finals of the 2016 MIAA Championships Sunday (Mar. 6) at Municipal Auditorium.
 
The Lady Hornets (26-5) claimed their fourth straight postseason MIAA Championships victory, while claiming the conference's automatic qualifying berth to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. The Gorillas (26-5) had their school record 15-game winning streak snapped and now will await the NCAA postseason selection announcement Sunday evening.
 
A day after setting an MIAA Tournament record with 16 3-pointers in Pitt State's semifinal victory over Fort Hays State University, the Gorillas long range shooters connected on just six of  21 3-pointers.
 
Pitt State converted just 39 percent of its shots from the floor for the game (23 of 59), while ESU finished the game 29 of 57 from the field (.509).
 
Mikaela Burgess led all scorers with 24 points in the contest, earning a spot on the five-member MIAA All-Tournament Team. Kylie Gafford, who chipped in with 14 points and eight rebounds, also garnered all-tournament recognition. Cathy Brugman also finished the game in double figures with 11 points.
 
Flott, the tournament MVP, posted a double-double with 17 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for the Lady Hornets. Moten had six assists to go with her 17-point scoring total. Sandra Mgoie and Addie Lackey added 14 points apiece for the Lady Hornets. Moten and Mgoie also were named to the all-tournament team.
 
The game was close at the start. All through the first quarter, each point from one team was answered by the other. The teams finished the first period tied, 17-17.
 
Emporia State used a few small runs to build up to an eight-point lead with 2:02 to go in the second. The Gorillas came back and Burgess was fouled with just .6 seconds left to cut the Lady Hornet lead to four, 37-33 at the half.
 
The Gorillas were able to cut the Emporia State lead to one, 48-47, on a Burgess three with 3:27 to go in the third quarter. It wasn't until the fourth quarter that Emporia was really able to pull away. The Hornets did not have any big runs, but several small runs, broke up by only a jumper or a couple of Gorilla free throws allowed Emporia State to outscore the Gorillas 21-13 in the  fourth quarter for the 80-66 win.
 
Pitt State now awaits word on the NCAA Tournament. The bracket and host sites will be released tonight at 9 p.m. on NCAA.com.