ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The unbeaten Pittsburg State University women's basketball team opened MIAA play Thursday (Nov. 30) with an emphatic road win over No. 23 Missouri Western State University. 

Pitt State (6-0, 1-0 MIAA) utilized a 27-point third quarter to propel the squad to a 65-56 victory over the Griffons (4-2, 0-1 MIAA) at the MWSU Fieldhouse. The third quarter scoring burst pushed the Gorillas ahead 50-37 going to the fourth quarter, after Pitt State trailed 29-23 at the half. 

Junior Sydney Holmes (Maize, Kan.) scored eight of her career best 17 points in the pivotal third period. She finished the contest with her third career double-double, posting 10 rebounds to go along with her game-high point total. She also added a team-leading five assists on the night. 

Karenna Gerber (Halstead, Kan.) finished with 16 points and five rebounds despite battling foul trouble in the contest. Grace Pyle (McPherson, Kan.) connected on five 3-pointers to lead the team from deep. Harper Schreiner (Eudora, Kan.) stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, seven rebounds and a team-high three steals.  

As a team, the Gorillas held the advantage over the Griffons on the glass, 40-33, assists, 18-5, and second chance points, 10-4.  

Up next, Pitt State will travel to Maryville, Mo., Saturday (Dec. 2) to face Northwest Missouri State University at Bearcat Arena. Tipoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. (CST). NWMSU downed Missouri Southern, 69-59, to open MIAA play Thursday. 

Note: Grace Pyle became the 17th Gorilla in program history to eclipse 100 or more three-pointers in a career.