PITTSBURG -- Athena Alavarado and Tristan Gegg combined for 59 points as the Pittsburg State University women's basketball team posted a 96-78 season opening victory over Oklahoma Baptist University Friday (Nov. 8) in the MIAA/GAC Conference Challenge at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.

Alvarado posted career highs with 31 points and 20 rebounds, while Gegg added a career-high 28 points to spark the Gorillas (1-0) in front of a energetic crowd of 2,818 "Kids Day" fans.

Pitt State trailed by as many as eight points, 23-15, with 2:40 to play in the first quarter, but the Gorillas ended the period on an 8-0 run to knot the score, 23-23. Pitt State again trailed by 10, 57-47, with 6;56 remaining in the third quarter, but the Gorillas stormed back by outscoring OBU 23-10 to take a 70-67 advantage to the fourth period. The Bison never got any closer than three points the rest of the way.

Alvarado made 14 of 22 shots from the floor and grabbed nine offensive rebounds among her 20 total boards. She also blocked four shots in the contest. Gegg was equally efficient, converting 10 of 13 shots from the field including four of five 3-pointers. Kaylee DaMitz added 12 points for the Gorillas, while Maya Williams added 10 points and six rebounds.

McKenzie Cooper scored a team-leading 28 points for the Bison, 26 in the first half.Jaylin Stapleton and Kalifa Ford added 16 points apiece for OBU.

The Bison will return to action Saturday at 5 p.m. against Washburn University in day two action of the MIAA/GAC Conference Challenge. Washburn dropped an 80-62 decision to No. 20 ranked Southwestern State University Friday. The Gorillas and the Lady Bulldogs will wrap up the tournament action with a 7 p.m. contest Saturday