No. 6 Gorillas Host Emporia State, Newman

PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University women's basketball team returns home after three games on the road to take on Emporia State and Newman this weekend.

Pittsburg State and the Lady Hornets will meet at 5:30 p.m. (CST) Thursday (Feb. 6) to begin the week. The Gorillas will close the week against the Jets at 1:30 p.m., Saturday (Feb. 8) in the Silverback Black Out Game at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.

The Gorillas stayed at No. 6 in the most recent WBCA NCAA Division II Top 25 poll and in team history are 4-0 while being ranked sixth. This marks the third time in team history to be ranked sixth with the first coming on Jan. 3, 2017.

Head Coach Amanda Davied
In her seventh year as head coach of her alma mater, Davied owns a 134-60 (.691) record. During her tenure as head coach, she has guided the Gorillas to the Division II National Tournament three times (2024, 2023 & 2019) with her debut season marking the first coach in program history to guide the Gorillas to a 20-win season. Davied has deep ties to the program first as a player (1999-03), graduate assistant (2003-04) and assistant coach (2004-18) while serving as the lead assistant from 2007-18 for current Division I, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), head coach Lane Lord.

A Peek at The Gorillas
Pitt State enters the weekend at 19-2 overall and 11-0 in the MIAA. The Gorillas, ranked sixth in the most recent WBCA/NCAA Division II Top 25 poll (Feb. 4), have won 10 straight and are 8-0 at home so far. Last time out for the Gorillas against Arkansas – Fort Smith (Feb. 1), Pitt State claimed a gritty 92-87 overtime win on the road behind a 39-point Grace Pyle performance that earned her MIAA AOW honors. Karenna Gerber leads the team with 15.8 points and 8.8 rebounds a game while shooting .602 from the field and .876 from free throws. Pyle is second on the team with 15.6 points a game, adding in 4.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists while going 56-of-149 from distance (.376). Macie Mays averages 14.6 points and 4.1 rebounds a night and is shotting .506 from the field. Harper Schreiner is averaging 7.5 points, 4.9 assists and 4.9 rebounds a game as well as shooting .489 from three-point attempts. Savannah Campbell is the top scorer off the bench at 6.2 points a game and Hannah Nilges leads the second unit with 25 made three's at a .417 clip. As a team the Gorillas average MIAA leading 81.8 points a game while shooting .742 from free throws, .486 from the field and .386 from distance.

KG Demonstrates Greatness Nightly
Senior forward Karenna Gerber is a consistent presence on both ends of the floor with her effort and talent being on full display over her career. She ranks first in career double-doubles (32) at Pittsburg State, second in field goal percentage among qualified shooters (.578) and rebounds (811), third in blocks (166) and blocks per game (1.47), fourth in rebounds per game (7.2), sixth in free throws made (352), seventh in free throws attempted (462), ninth in points (1,516) and 10^th in field goals made (572).

GP Chasing After Legends
Senior guard Grace Pyle has proven over the past two seasons to be one of the better shooters in the MIAA and figures to be in contention to be recognized as one of the best shooters in the conference this campaign. For her career, the McPherson, Kan., native ranks fourth in team ranks for made three-pointers (223) and three-pointers attempted (626). Pyle is also 13^th in points scored (1,368) and assists proveded (253). She became the fifth Gorilla in team history to make 50 or more three-pointers in three seasons on the road against Northeastern State (Jan. 30), joining the exclusive club of Jenni Miller (94-97), Mikaela Burgess (15-18), Shelby Lopez (17-19) and Tristan Gegg (20, 22-23).

Schreiner's Game
Junior guard Harper Schreiner has specialized in assists and steals through 84 career games for the Gorillas. Schreiner so far has dished out 368 assists and recorded 124 steals to be seventh in career assists charts and 22^nd for steals. Became the fourth player in program history to record 100 assist seasons as a freshman, sophomore and junior joining the exclusive club that consists of Amanda Davied, Kaylee DaMitz & Leslie Dudley. For her career, Schreiner's 2.07 assist-turnover ratio is second in PSU ranks behind Hadyn Herlocker's (13-17) 2.88. Earlier this season she also became the 15^th individual in team history to record a seven steal or better game, on the road against Rogers State (Dec. 7) and the first to do so since Megan Ripperton against New Mexico Highlands (Dec. 4, 2004).

M&M Express
Sophomore guard/forward Macie Mays had one of the better freshman campaigns in Pitt State history last season finishing the season averaging 11.2 points and grabbing 3.3 rebounds while shooting .534 from the field and .419 from three. This season she is elevating her game with averages of 14.6 points and 4.1 rebounds a game while shooting .506 from the field (120-of-237) and is 47-of-57 from free throws (.825). Mays this season recorded a career-high with 30 points against Northeastern State (Jan. 4) going a school record 10-of-10 from the field, 4-of-4 from three and 6-of-6 from free throws.

What's Up Holmes
Senior guard Sydney Holmes successfully completed her first season in the starting lineup last campaign and looks to put together another solid year for the Gorillas as a senior. For her career, Holmes has appeared in 111 games with 651 points scored, 467 rebounds corralled and 161 assists dished out while shooting .444 from the field.

Savy In The Paint
Junior forward Savannah Campbell gained valuable experience in her sophomore campaign that has helped her lead the charge off the bench this season. The Rolla, Mo., native is averaging a team-best 7.2 points a game off the bench, going 55-of-108 from the field (.509).

Nilges The Marksmen
Senior guard Hannah Nilges introduced herself to the Pitt State faithful with a career-day against the Southern Nazarene University Crimson Storm (Nov. 3), going 6-of-8 from three for a career-high 20 points. This season she is 25-of-60 from deep (.417) ranking second among team ranks for makes and tied for second for attempts. The Jefferson City, Mo., native spent her first three collegiate seasons at Division I Drake University where she appeared in 44 games as a Bulldog.

MJ Is Everywhere
This season the junior guard from Goddard, Kan., Maycee James has showcased multiple impactful performances on both ends of the court. Against Northwestern Oklahoma (Nov. 21) she finished with 10 assists, seven rebounds, six steals and six assists. It marked the third time in the last five years a Gorilla finished a game with 10 assists joining Harper Schreiner (at Lincoln, Dec. 18, 2023) and Kaylee DaMitz (vs. Missouri Western, Dec. 17, 2020). The six steals were also the most since Paige Imhoff collected as many steals vs. Arkansas-Fort Smith (Nov. 18, 2017). This season she is up to 49 assists, 30 steals and six blocks after battling back from a midseason injury.

Gerber Becomes Double-Double Queen
With her first double-double of the 2024-25 season against Ferris State, senior Karenna Gerber set a team record for double-doubles in a career. The Haltstead, Kan., native passed PSU Hall of Famer LaTonya (McGee) Mekha (1983-86) with her 22nd career double-double against the Bulldogs. To date, Gerber has 32 career double-doubles.

Wayne Cavadi's Favorite Center
Karenna Gerber has been picked by "The Dean of DII", Wayne Cavadi as the NCAA Division II All-Stats starting center for the months of November, December and January. Gerber is the only player to feature as a starter in every month this season. Wayne Cavadi in his January write up of her said, "She leads all centers in double-doubles with 11 and trails just Yiibari Nwidadah in field-goal percentage among centers with a cool 60.1 percent. She has the third-most points (16.1 per game) and rebounds (9.0 per game) among centers as well. She has been the model of consistency at an inconsistent position, not just this season, but for the past three, having averaged at least 15.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in every season during that span."

Karenna Chasing After Double-Double Records
Gerber tied a school record set by Madison Northcutt (2016-17) with five consecutive double-doubles in January. The Halstead Kan., native has recorded 11 double-doubles this season to tie Northcutt for third in single-season ranks at PSU, trailing only Jaimee Bohannon with 12 in 1999-00 and LaTonya McGee who finished with 13 in the 1985-86 season. Gerber in the month of January recorded six double-double performances in eight games and has recorded eight double-doubles in the last 12 games, dating back to Dec. 10^th.

28 For The Record
With 28 more rebounds senior forward/center Karenna Gerber will pass Lizzy Jeronimus (11-15) for the Pittsburg State career rebound record. Gerber is enjoying her best season in the Crimson and Gold, averaging 15.8 points and 8.8 rebounds a game while shooting .602 from the field and .876 from the charity stripe.

Back-To-Back MIAA AOW's
Senior forward/center Karenna Gerber was named the MIAA Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week for the second week in a row (Jan. 13) after helping lead the Gorillas to a 6-0 start to the MIAA slate. Gerber in MIAA action is contributing 17.4 points and 9.9 rebounds a game while shooting .654 from the field and .925 from free throws to rank within the top-four in each category.

Pyle's MIAA AOW
Senior guard Grace Pyle was named the MIAA Women's Basketball Athlete of the Week (Feb. 3) after averaging 28.0 points, 5.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds and shot .400 from distance as the Gorillas improved to 11-0 in the conference. Pyle scored a season-high 39 points against Arkansas – Fort Smith (Feb. 1) going 6-of-13 from three and converted on 11 free throws in the overtime win over the Lions. Her scoring tally is tied with Sunny York (Feb. 4, 1978 vs. Fort Hays State) for the second-most points scored in a single game and is two off tying the school record that Pyle set last season against Central Oklahoma (Dec. 9, 2023).

A 20-Win Season Looms
At Pittsburg State the women's basketball team has accomplished a 20-win season 14 times since the 1974-75 season. Under the direction of Amanda Davied the Gorillas have recorded 20-win seasons in 2018-19, 2022-23 and 2023-24, while gunning for a third straight season of accomplishing the feat with their next victory. Historically of the Gorillas 13 National Tournament appearances, 11 have featured 20-win season with the lone exceptions being the 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons.

Polls And Scrolls
The Gorillas, the preseason No. 1 pick in the 2024-25 MIAA Coaches Poll, posted a 24-8 record (15-7 MIAA) a year ago. Pitt State captured the MIAA Postseason Tournament crown and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. This season the Gorillas were listed 13th in the first three WBCA/NCAA Division II Coaches Poll of the season before being positioned in eighth in the next three poll updates, currently Pitt State is ranked sixth in the latest poll (Feb. 4).

Another Trip To The Big Dance
In the Gorillas 35 years of competing at the Division II level the women's basketball team has qualified for 13 National Tournament appearances. In those 13 appearances, Pitt State is 9-13 (.409) with two Elite Eight appearances in 2012 and 2016.

A Long Time Coming
For the first time in program history the Gorillas won the MIAA Tournament in 2024 after finishing as runners up in 2016 and 1992. Pittsburg State is a three-time MIAA regular season champion claiming the title in the 2016-17, 1995-96 and 1991-92 seasons.

Lady Hornets Report
Emporia State is 9-12 overall and 4-8 in the MIAA heading into the week and winners of back-to-back games. On the season the Lady Hornets are 1-5 on the road with the lone win coming against former conference foe Lincoln (Mo.). Katie Horyna leads the team with 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists a game and is shooting .742 from free throws. Gracie Gilpin is the top marksmen going for 12.0 points a game at a .348 clip (57-of-164). Elizabeth Tjaden averages 7.9 points and 3.4 rebounds a game while shooting .308 from three (33-of-107), ranking second on the team in makes and attempts. Makenzie McDaniel leads the team with a .471 field goal percentage and adds 6.4 points and 5.4 rebounds nightly. As a team the Lady Hornets average a -3.8 scoring margin with a -1.1 rebound margin and opponents blocking 4.5 shots a game. ESU scores 69.3 points a game while shooting .310 from three-point attempts and converts on 7.5 per game. Opponents are averaging 73.1 points a game while shooting .335 from distance and making 8.8 nightly.

ESU Series History
Thursday's contest will mark the 101^st meeting all-time, with Emporia State owning a 66-34 advantage. In Pittsburg, the Gorillas have won three straight at home but are 4-6 in the last 10 games played at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court. In the last meeting, Pittsburg State claimed a 72-56 win, Jenna Shipley scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench while Gerber (12), Alba Lozano Davila (11) and Pyle (10) rounded out the other top scorers.

Jets Reports
Newman enters the weekend at 7-14 overall and 2-10 in the MIAA. On the road this season the Jets are 1-7 with the lone win coming against Emporia State (Nov. 19). Jaeden McMillin leads the team with 12.8 points and 6.7 rebounds a game while going 77-of-105 (.733) from free throws. Paige Craft averages 8.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists a game while shooting .818 from free throws. Valeriya Lioukina is averaging 8.4 points and 5.0 rebounds a game while shooting .461 from the field. As a team the Jets average 59.4 points a game and have a -7.7 scoring margin average. NU is 157-of-520 from three for .302, making 7.5 per game significantly more than their opponents that are 101-of-336 from .301 with 4.8 makes a game. From free throws, the Jets are shooting .723 compared to their opponents at .691 and are making 6.0 more free throws per game than Newman.

NU Series History
Saturday's contest will mark the 23^rd meeting all-time, with Pitt State owning a 19-3 advantage and winning 18 straight matchups. At home the Gorillas are 9-1 with the lone loss occurring on Dec. 6, 1976 in a 62-47 affair. This season the Gorillas defeated the Jets 77-50 in Wichita on Jan. 9, with Campbell leading the team in scoring off the bench with 18 points in 16 minutes.

MIAA Win Leaderborard (Since 1989-90 season) As of Feb. 3
1. Central Missouri *, 444-216 (.673)
2. Washburn *, 441-218 (.669)
3. Emporia State *, 423-203 (.676)
4. Pittsburg State *, 414-243 (.630)
5. Missouri Western *, 385-272 (.586)
6. Missouri Southern *, 332-326 (.505)
7. Northwest Missouri *, 273-384 (.416)
8. Fort Hays State *, 243-128 (.655)
9. Southwest Baptist ^, 229-391 (.369)
10. Nebraska-Kearney *, 147-107 (.579)
11. Truman State &, 141-280 (.335)
12. Central Oklahoma *, 120-133 (.474)
13. Missouri S&T %, 88-180 (.328)
14. Northeastern State *, 77-176 (.304)
15. Lincoln (Mo.) @#, 56-373 (.131)
16. Lindenwood ^, 47-88 (.348)
17. Southeast Missouri ?, 40-6 (.870)
18. Missouri-St. Louis +, 31-81 (.277)
19. Rogers State *, 24-95 (.202)
20. Nebraska-Omaha !, 23-39 (.371)
21. Newman *, 21-98 (.177)
22. Arkansas-Fort Smith *,7-4 (.636)

* - Current Member Institution
# - Left conference in 2024
^ - Left conference in 2019
& - Left conference in 2013
! - Left conference in 2011
% - Left conference in 2005
@ - Left conference in 1999
+ - Left conference in 1996
? - Left conference in 1991

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Players Mentioned

#31 Jenna Shipley: G; 5' 9"; Redshirt Junior

#23 Savannah Campbell: F; 6' 2"; Junior

#5 Karenna Gerber: F/C; 6' 0"; Senior

#1 Sydney Holmes: G; 5' 9"; Senior

#33 Alba Lozano Davila: F; 6' 1"; Senior

#13 Macie Mays: G/F; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#24 Grace Pyle: G; 5' 11"; Senior

#15 Harper Schreiner: G; 5' 8"; Junior

#11 Hannah Nilges: G; 5' 7"; Senior

#10 Maycee James: G; 5' 7"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#31 Jenna Shipley
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Junior
: G

#23 Savannah Campbell
: 6' 2"; Junior
: F

#5 Karenna Gerber
: 6' 0"; Senior
: F/C

#1 Sydney Holmes
: 5' 9"; Senior
: G

#33 Alba Lozano Davila
: 6' 1"; Senior
: F

#13 Macie Mays
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: G/F

#24 Grace Pyle
: 5' 11"; Senior
: G

#15 Harper Schreiner
: 5' 8"; Junior
: G

#11 Hannah Nilges
: 5' 7"; Senior
: G

#10 Maycee James
: 5' 7"; Junior
: G