MARYVILLE, Mo. -- Julia Johnson scored a career high 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds to help lead the Pittsburg State University women's basketball team to a lopsided 79-50 road win over Northwest Missouri State University Thursday (Feb. 11) at Bearcat Arena.

Johnson made 10 of 13 shots from the field as the Gorillas shot the ball at a 51.6 percent clip for the game (32-62).

Pitt State (12-6, 12-6 MIAA) led 22-18 with 5:50 to play in the second quarter, but the Gorillas outscored Northwest (6-10-, 6-10 MIAA) 12-1 the rest of the period to take a 34-19 advantage to the break.

Tristan Gegg added 14 points and seven rebounds for Pitt State. Kaylee DaMitz contributed nine points and three assists, while Ashton McCorry chipped in with eight points.

The Bearcats got a team-leading 17 points from Molly Hartnett.

Pitt State will continue with game two of a three-game road swing with a 1:30 p.m. (CST) game Saturday (Feb. 13) at St. Joseph, Mo., against Missouri Western State University.