KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Pittsburg State University women's basketball team captured the 2024 MIAA Basketball Championships crown with a 63-53 victory over Fort Hays State University Sunday (Mar. 10).

The Gorillas (24-7) claimed the program's first-ever MIAA Postseason Tournament title thanks to a balanced offense and a tenacious defensive attack.

Macie Mays led three Pitt State players in double figures with 17 points. Grace Pyle added 15 points and Karenna Gerber chipped in with 10. Harper Schreiner contributed five points, nine rebounds and four assists as well. Mays, Pyle and Gerber all were voted to the All-Tournament Team.

FHSU (24-7), the tournament's No. 3 seed, led 3-0 less than a minute into the contest, but Pitt State pushed in front early and led for more than 36 minutes of clock time in the contest.

Katie Wagner paced the Lady Tigers with game highs of 20 points and 10 rebounds. Sydney Golladay finished with 15 points. Wagner was selected the MIAA Tournament MVP. Pitt State limited FHSU to 31.7 percent shooting in the game.

By winning the tournament crown, the No. 5 seed Gorillas claimed the MIAA's automatic qualifying berth into the 2024 NCAA Division II National Tournament. The 64-team field will be announced later tonight. Pitt State won its first MIAA Postseason Tournament title after falling short in the tournament finals in 1992 and 2016.

Stay tuned to pittstategorillas.com for additional postseason information as it becomes available.