PITTSBURG -- The Missouri Western State University women's basketball team closed the door on its MIAA regular season championship with a 68-61 road win over Pittsburg State University in the regular season finale for both schools Saturday (Mar. 2) at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.

The No. 19 ranked Griffons finished the regular season 24-4 overall and 19-3 in conference play. MWSU will be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming 2024 MIAA Basketball Championships presented by Southern Bank next week. Pitt State closed out the regular season 21 -7 (15-7 MIAA). The Gorillas finished in a tie for fifth place in the MIAA standings with the University of Central Missouri, a team Pitt State swept in a pair of regular season match-ups.

Karenna Gerber paced three Pitt State players in double figures with 18 points against the Griffons Saturday. Grace Pyle added 12 points while Harper Schreiner posted a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. The Gorillas shot just 34.9 percent from the field (22-63) Saturday, making just six of 24 3-point field goal attempts.

Brionna Budgetts led all scorers with 20 points for the Griffons. Johnni Gonzalez chipped in with 12 points and five assists.

The MIAA will release the 2024 MIAA Basketball Championships bracket later tonight.