PITTSBURG -- The Pittsburg State University women's basketball team scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter to fuel an 11-2 run that propelled the No. 20 Gorillas to a 64-61 victory over Missouri Western State University Wednesday (Feb. 11).

Hannah Miller scored three straight baskets between the 4:41 and 2:51 mark of the final period to turn a 56-54 advantage into a 62-57 margin. Neither team scored again until Western's LaNicia Parker made two free throws with 42 seconds remaining.

Pitt State (18-5, 11-3 MIAA) committed turnovers on four consecutive possessions in the game's final minute of play, but the Griffons only managed to trim the margin to 62-61 on Mia Morel's driving layup.

The Gorillas finally broke their scoring drought when Ja'Miya Brown made two free throws with 7.8 ticks left in regulation for the game's final margin.

Western's Tamesha Dozier was fouled on a potential game-tying 3-point field goal attempt with 0.8 seconds left on the clock, but Dozier missed her first two charity shots. She intentionally missed her third try, but Miller rebounded the miss as time expired.

Clara Swearingen scored a game-high 18 points to pace the Gorillas, while Miller finished with 11. Kaycee McCumber added eight points and 10 rebounds. Amanda Byrnes and Marin Adams chipped in with six points apiece.

Western (8-15, 4-10 MIAA) got 17 points from Nakiya Harris, 13 from Ana Oliveira Dias and 12 from Morel.

Pitt State will continue its four-game home stand at John Lance Arena by hosting Northwest Missouri State University Saturday (Feb. 14) at 1:30 p.m. (CST).