MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Kansas State University women's basketball team built a 16-point halftime cushion and then held off Pittsburg State University in the second half for a 65-50 exhibition game victory Monday (Nov. 5) at Bramlage Coliseum.

The Wildcats used a 7-0 run over the final 2:02 of the first quarter to break open a 9-9 game and take a 16-9 advantage following the opening stanza.

Pitt State's Maya Williams buried a 3-pointer to pull the Gorillas within four points, at 16-12, with 8:04 to play in the second quarter, but K-State countered with a 13-2 run to reassert control with a 15-point edge, 29-14, with 3:13 remaining in the first half.

The Gorillas slowly trimmed the Wildcats margin down to 10 points, 52-42, with 6:17 to play in the game but Pitt State could not close the margin further down the stretch.

Junior forward Athena Alvarado paced the Gorillas with 13 points and six rebounds, while freshman guard Kaylee DaMitz added 12 points, a team-leading nine rebounds and five assists. Williams chipped in with seven points for Pitt State, which converted 31.0 percent of its shots in the game (18-58).

K-State got a game-high 27 points from Christianna Carr. She made 10 of 20 shots from the floor, including six 3-point field goals. Jasauen Beard also finished in double figures with 11 points for the Wildcats.

Pitt State will open regular season play Nov. 9-10 when the Gorillas travel to Kansas City, Mo., to take part in the 10-team Central Region Challenge at Municipal Auditorium. The Gorillas will take on Northern State University Friday at 11:30 a.m. and Minnesota State University-Moorhead Saturday at 11:30 a.m.