JOPLIN, Mo. — Karenna Gerber scored a team-leading 20 points to lead the Pittsburg State University women's basketball team to an 87-79 upset victory over No. 9 ranked Missouri Southern State University Monday (Jan. 2) at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.

The Gorillas (10-3, 5-2 MIAA) scored the game's final seven points, holding the Lady Lions (12-2, 4-2 MIAA) scoreless over the last 1:48 of regulation.

Gerber finished the game with 20 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots. Her final rejection came on a 3-point field goal attempt by MSSU's Lacey Stokes with 23 ticks remaining and the Gorillas leading, 83-79. Sydney Holmes came away with the loose ball and hit a pair of free throws to help seal the win.

Harper Schreiner also posted a double-double in the contest with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Grace Pyle added 17 points on the strength of 4-for-8 shooting from 3-point range.

Holmes finished with 12 points, while Erin Davis chipped in with 10 points and six rebounds.

The Gorillas shot 50.9 percent from the field in the contest, including making 12 of 22 shots from distance. Pitt State led for 34:28 of game clock in the contest. MSSU last led, 20-19, with 9:48 to play in the second quarter. The Gorillas led by as many as 10 points, 59-49, with 42 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Lacey Stokes paced all scorers with a game-high 28 points for the Lady Lions, while Layne Skiles and Amaya Johns added 13 points apiece.

The Gorillas will continue their three-game MIAA road swing by traveling to Kearney, Neb., to battle the University of Nebraska-Kearney Thursday (Jan. 5) at 5:30 p.m. (CST).