PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University women's basketball team dropped an 84-83 decision to No. 20 Southwestern Oklahoma State University in a wild final game of the MIAA/GAC Conference Challenge Saturday (Nov. 9) at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.

Pitt State (1-1) grabbed an 83-82 lead on Athena Alvarado's inside basket with 4.4 seconds to play in the game. Alvarado scored after Tristan Gegg attacked the basketball, drew two SWOSU (2-0) defenders and dished the ball to the Gorillas power forward.

The Lady Bulldogs quickly inbounded the ball and Pitt State's Meghan Maher was whistled for a foul against SWOSU's Makyra Tremble as she attempted to drive the ball up the floor with 3.1 seconds remaining. Tremble made both foul shots for the game's final margin. Following a timeout, Pitt State's Kaylee DaMitz got off a guarded jumper that rimmed off just ahead of the final buzzer.

Maddie Sperle and Tremble scored a team-leading 26 points apiece to pace the Lady Bulldogs. Tremble posted a double-double with 26 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.Tyra Aska also finished with 15 points for SWOSU.

Gegg scored a game-high 28 points for the Gorillas, while Maya Williams added 19 points and seven rebounds. Alvarado chipped in with eight points and a team-leading 11 rebounds after battling foul trouble throughout the game.

Pitt State will return to action Wednesday (Nov. 13) when the Gorillas travel to St. Charles, Mo., for a non-conference match-up against Lindenwood University.