SEARCY, Ark. — The Pittsburg State University women's basketball team jumped out to a 20-point first-half lead and rode that early momentum to a 75-51 victory over the University of Central Oklahoma in the opening round of the NCAA Division II National Tournament Friday (Mar. 10).

The fifth-seeded Gorillas (25-5) advance to the Central Region semifinals Saturday (Mar. 11) when they will meet top-seeded Emporia State University at 5 p.m. The Lady Hornets (28-4) rallied from a nine-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat the No. 8 seed Northern State University, 71-68, Friday.

Pitt State broke open a four-point game against UCO (25-8) by outscoring the Lady Bronchos, 29-13, in the decisive second quarter.

Paige Lungwitz led a balanced offensive attack with a game-high 15 points. Athena Alvarado (13), Shelby Lopez (12), Brenlee McPherson (12) and Madison Northcutt (11) also scored in double figures for the Gorillas. Northcutt added a game-high 10 rebounds to post a double-double on the afternoon.

The Gorillas limited the Lady Bronchos to 35.7 percent shooting (19-51) and forced UCO into 15 turnovers. Pitt State made 30 of 66 shots from the floor (.455) and committed just eight turnovers.

Jesheon Cooper finished with a team-leading 14 points and seven rebounds for UCO.