PITTSBURG -- The Pittsburg State University women's basketball team built a 19-point first-half lead and rode that momentum to a 76-68 victory over No. 19 University of Central Missouri Saturday (Jan. 12) at John Lance Arena.

The Gorillas improved to 13-2 on the season (5-1 MIAA), while handing the defending NCAA Division II national champion Jennies their fourth loss of the season (10-4, 3-3 MIAA).

Kaylee DaMitz led three Pitt State players in double figures with 16 points. She also dished out seven assists in the contest as the Gorillas shot 46 percent from the field in the contest (24-52).

Athena Alvarado posted a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, while Maya Williams also finished with 11 points.

The Gorillas made eight of 17 3-pointers in the contest -- seven of 10 in the first half as Pitt State took a 40-25 lead to the intermission.

UCM's Paige Redmond led all scorers with 33 points. She made 12 of 23 shots from the floor and added seven of nine shooting at the free throw line.

Pitt State limited the Jennies to 39.3 pecent shooting (24-61) and UCM shot a tepid 12.5 percent from 3-point range, making just three of 24 long-range attempts.