KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Pittsburg State University women's basketball team struggled from the field, shooting just 33 percent from the floor, and No. 3 seed Lindenwood University knocked off the No. 6 seed Gorillas, 54-50, Saturday in the quarterfinals of the 2019 MIAA Postseason Tournament.

The Lions (21-6) advance to the Saturday's semifinals where they will face No. 2 seed University of Central Missouri at 8:15 p.m. (CST) at historic Municipal Auditorium.

Pitt State (21-8) fell behind by as many as 18 points against LWU, before the Gorillas used a furious fourth quarter comeback bid to try to claw back into the contest.

The Gorillas outscored the Lions, 17-6, in the final stanza to battle back from a 15-point deficit at the end of the third period.

Meghan Maher missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with six seconds to play in the game and LWU's Lexie Moe made one of two free throws to seal the win.

Athena Alvarado led Pitt State with 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Shelby Lopez added 12 points.  Kaylee DaMitz chipped in with nine points.

LWU got a game-high 19 points and 17 rebounds from Kallie Bildner and 12 points from Lindsay Medlan.