MARYVILLE, Mo. – The fifth ranked Pittsburg State University women's basketball team completed an 18-point second half comeback on the road, beating Northwest Missouri on Saturday (Feb. 15) at Bearcat Arena.
 
As a team, Pittsburg State (23-2, 15-0 MIAA) faced an 18-point deficit with 5:55 remaining in the third quarter (51-33) and started to slowly chip away at the lead. In the final five minutes of the third quarter, the Gorillas used a 10-2 run to cut the Bearcat (12-13, 5-10 MIAA) lead down to 10 (53-43).
 
Pitt State began the fourth quarter with a 6-2 run, cutting it to six (55-49) following a Savannah Campbell basket. Northwest Missouri scored on the following possession and then failed to scored again until 3:13 remaining in the game, pushing their lead back up the five (59-54).
 
Sydney Holmes got the Gorillas final push started with a three pointer near the top of the arch with 2:56 remaining, neither team would score again until the final minute. In the final minute the Gorillas tied it up, 59-all with a pair of Karenna Gerber free throws as 47 seconds remained.
 
Following a Bearcat timeout, NWMSU committed a turnover with Harper Schreiner claiming the ball with 23 seconds remaining. Grace Pyle would play hero with a layup to push the Gorillas ahead 61-59 with eight seconds remaining on the clock, Northwest Missouri would go for the win but their three point attempt before the final buzzer was no good.
 
Gerber led Pitt State with 14 points, Pyle and Macie Mays each finished with nine points as Campbell corralled a career-high 12 rebounds to go with eight points off the bench.
 
For the Bearcats, Caely Kesten led the team with 24 points as Molly Hartnett stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.
 
Up next for the Gorillas is a road weekend to Nebraska – Kearney (Feb. 20) and nationally ranked Fort Hays State (22).