PITTSBURG - The Pittsburg State University women's basketball team is set to hit the road and travel to Emporia, Kan., and Wichita, Kan., this weekend to complete a three-game week for the Gorillas.

Pittsburg State dispatched of Missouri Southern State University on Monday (Feb. 2), 72-66 at John Lance Arena to form a four-way tie atop the MIAA standings with the Lions, Fort Hays State University Tigers and University of Central Missouri Jennies. 

Thursday (Feb. 5), the Gorillas will be at Emporia State University to begin the road trip. Tip off from W.L. White Auditorium is set for 5:30 p.m. (CST) against the Lady Hornets. Saturday (Feb. 7), Pittsburg State will end the weekend against the Newman University Jets at Fugate Gymnasium with a 1:30 p.m. start time scheduled.

Head Coach Amanda Davied
In her eighth year as head coach of her alma mater, Davied owns a 164-66 (.713) record. During her tenure as head coach, she has guided the Gorillas to the Division II National Tournament four times (2025-23 & 2019) with her debut season marking the first coach in program history to guide the Gorillas to a 20-win season. Last season, Davied was named the MIAA and KBCA Four Year College Coach of the Year after helping lead the Gorillas to a 33-4 overall record and a NCAA Division II Final Four appearance after claiming the MIAA regular season, MIAA Tournament and Central Region Tournament championships. 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.

WBCA Poll Update
Released on Tuesday (Feb. 3), the Gorillas are No. 15 in the Division II Poll and are 16-4 overall, 9-2 in the MIAA. Pittsburg State when ranked No. 15 is 5-2 with wins coming in the 1992-93 and 2010-11 seasons. As a Top 25 ranked team in the WBCA Poll, the Gorillas all-time are 157-54 (.744) while being ranked for 112 featured weeks. Pittsburg State has featured in the Top 25 in a school record 27 straight editions of the WBCA Coaches Poll dating back to last season's opening poll. Previous record for consecutive weeks featured in the WBCA Division II Top 25 Poll was 25, spanning from Feb. 9, 2016 - Nov. 28, 2017.

A Peek at the Gorillas
Pittsburg State is 16-4 overall and 9-2 in the MIAA, currently a four-way tie for first in the conference standings. Picked to finish first in the MIAA Preseason Media Poll and third in the Coaches Poll, the Gorillas have made it to the NCAA Division II National Tournament in three straight seasons. Ja'Miya Brown leads the team with 13.7 points a game for the season, going 34-of-85 from behind the arc (.400) and hauling in 4.5 rebounds a game. The all-action guard combo of Marin Adams and Harper Schreiner have accounted for 504 points (25.2), 231 rebounds (11.6), 111 assists (5.6) and 44 steals (2.2) while going 131-of-149 (.879) from the charity stripe. The MIAA leader for rebounds per game (10.0), Kaycee McCumber is adding in 9.0 points a game in 23.5 minutes. Clara Swearingen in her first season as a starter is averaging 7.9 points a game and has knocked down 27 three pointers. Cambrie Phillips (5.4), Hannah Miller (5.1) and Amanda Byrnes (5.1) are key contributors off the bench. As a team the Gorillas are scoring 73.3 points a game while opponents are putting up 64.2. On the glass, Pittsburg State for the season is averaging 42.1 rebounds a game and holding a +7.2 advantage over opponents. 

Career Highs Set In 2025-26
Ja'Miya Brown: 36 points vs. Western Colorado (Dec. 20). 11 rebounds at Northwestern Oklahoma (Nov. 20). 3 assists at No. 8 Fort Hays State (Dec. 13) and vs. St. Mary (Kan.) (Dec. 15). 6 steals at Cameron (Dec. 19). 2 blocks vs. Central Oklahoma (Dec. 4). 13 field goals made and 7 three pointers made vs. Western Colorado. 6 free throws made at FHSU. Amanda Byrnes: 8 rebounds vs. Central Oklahoma (Dec. 4). 5 blocks at Northwestern Oklahoma (Nov. 20). 7 field goals made vs. St. Mary (Kan.) (Dec. 15). 5 free throws made vs. Newman (Jan. 8). Hannah Miller: 20 points vs. Northern State (Nov. 14). 6 rebounds vs. St. Mary (Kan.) (Dec. 15). 3 assists vs. Northern State & St. Mary (Kan.). 2 steals vs. Northern State. 8 field goals made 4 throws made vs. Northern State. 1 three pointer made at Cameron (Dec. 19). Harper Schreiner: 9 free throws made at Northeastern State (Jan. 3). Clara Swearingen: 20 points vs. Angelo State (Nov. 30). 5 rebounds at No. 8 Fort Hays State (Dec. 13), vs. ASU & No. 8 Texas Woman's (Nov. 25). 5 assists vs. Minnesota Crookston (Nov. 15). 4 steals vs. Arkansas - Fort Smith (Jan. 31). 7 field goals made and 4 three pointers made vs. ASU. 8 free throws made vs. Rogers State (Dec. 6).

Double-Doubles in 2025-26
This season three Gorillas have recorded double-doubles, with all nine instances being points-rebounds performances. Kaycee McCumber (6): 11 points, 18 rebounds vs. No. 8 Texas Woman's (Nov. 25); 15 points, 15 rebounds vs. Central Oklahoma (Dec. 4); 17 points, 15 rebounds at Rogers State (Jan. 14); 12 points, 11 rebounds at Central Oklahoma (Jan. 17); 16 points, 12 rebounds vs. Arkansas - Fort Smith (Jan. 31); 10 points, 15 rebounds vs. Missouri Southern (Feb. 2). Harper Schreiner (4): 19 points, 12 rebounds vs. Minnesota Crookston (Nov. 15); 12 points, 11 rebounds vs. St. Mary (Kan.) (Dec. 15) and 18 points, 10 rebounds at Northeastern State (Jan. 3); 12 points and 12 rebounds at Rogers State (Jan. 14).Ja'Miya Brown (1): 20 points, 11 rebounds at Northwestern Oklahoma (Nov. 20).

Schreiner Feeling Grand
Harper Schreiner became the 27th Gorilla in program history to score 1,000 career points in the fourth quarter against Newman (Jan. 8). The Eudora, Kan., recorded her 12th career double-double on the road against Rogers State (Jan. 14), finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds. In 120 career games wearing the Crimson and Gold, Schreiner has accumulated 1,081 points, 737 rebounds, 482 assists and 177 steals. Among Pitt State career ranks, Schreiner is third in rebounds and assists, sixth in steals and is 20th in scoring. With four more made three pointers, Schreiner would become the 18th Gorilla to convert on 100 attempts from distance for their career. When she makes her 100th career three pointer will become the 4th Gorilla in program history to have for their career 100 made three pointers, 300 rebounds, 300 assists and 1,000 points scored (Grace Pyle, 2021-25, Amanda Davied, 1999-03 and Leslie Dudley, 1996-00).

Consistent Mays
Macie Mays in two years with the Pittsburg State program, has scored 799 points (12.5) in 64 games. The El Dorado Springs, Mo., native is tied for the school record field goal percentage record after going 10-of-10 from the field against Northeastern State (Jan. 4, 2025) for a career-high 30 points at John Lance Arena/Whetzel Court.

From Denver, Colo. to Pittsburg, Kan.
Senior Ashlyn Yow and junior Amanda Byrnes will be teammates at the collegiate level for the third season in a row after transferring into Pittsburg State from fellow Division II program, Metropolitan State University - Denver (MSU - Denver). Yow appeared in 77 games for MSU - Denver where she finished with 411 points (5.3), 140 rebounds (1.8) and 92 assists (1.2) while shooting .333 from distance. Byrnes played in 51 games as a Roadrunner, finishing with 153 points, 143 rebounds and 23 blocks in 12.9 minutes a game.

International Rillas
Marie Wembadjonga (Libreville, Gabon) and Karolina Kiraga (Wistka, Poland) have taken unique paths to end up being teammates this season at Pittsburg State. Wembadjonga played at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) last season where she averaged 7.8 points and 7.8 rebounds a game, the Gabonese national began her collegiate career in 2023-24 at Chipola College where in 27 games she averaged 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 points a game. Wembadjonga played at the Lycee Joseph Ambouroue Avaro Secondary School in Gabon prior to playing collegiately. Kiraga will begin her collegiate career with the Gorillas after wrapping up a prep career at Providence Classical Christian Academy in Rogers, Ark. Karolina (Lola) averaged 17.6 points and 7.1 rebounds a game during her time at PCCA, being named an All-State performer three-times.

Five Gems
Pittsburg State features five players who played high school basketball in the state of Arkansas. Junior Ja'Miya Brown (North Little Rock | North Little Rock High School), Freshmen Marin Adams (Farmington | Farmington High School), Karolina Kiraga (Wistka, Poland | Providence Classical Christian Academy), Kaycee McCumber (Farmington | Farmington High School) and Cambrie Phillips (Cave Springs | Bentonville High School). Brown in her first season as a starter leads the team with 13.7 points a game and has made 34 three pointers at a .400 clip. Adams and McCumber are coming off three straight Arkansas State Championships (4A in 2023 & 24, 5A in 2025). This season, Adams is averaging 13.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists a game with McCumber corralling a MIAA leading 10.0 rebounds a game to supplement 9.0 points. Coming off the bench, Phillips is averaging 5.4 points and Kiraga, 2.0.

Magic Number 18
Early in her collegiate career, Kaycee McCumber has already left her mark in the Pittsburg State record books with two freshman records. Hauling in 18 rebounds against Texas Woman's (Nov. 25) and registering six double-doubles thus far in 2025-26 to move past Harper Schreiner in 2022-23 who finished with five double-double performances during her MIAA Freshman of the Year campaign. Lizzy Jeronimus (2011-12) came away with 225 rebounds to lead all freshman with Harper Schreiner (2022-23) the only other freshman to eclipse 200 boards with 205. Janelle Klein (2003-04, 165), Karenna Gerber (2021-22, 164), Bethany Turnbull (1999-00, 158), Madison Northcutt (2015-16, 140), Amber Sanborn (1993-94, 138), Leslie Dudley (1996-97, 137), Dani Fronabarger (1989-90, 135), Sydney Holmes (2021-22, 132), Kami Scrivner (2001-02, 127), Lisa Cropper (1992-93, 122), Laura Glenn (2007-08, 117), Tracy Patry (2004-05, 114), Megan Scott (2018-19, 108), Kaylee DaMitz (2018-19, 104) and Macie Mays (2023-24, 101) round out the other freshman to accomplish the feat. Against Western Colorado (Dec. 20) she eclipsed 100 rebounds for the season, becoming the 18th Gorilla since the 1990-91 season to accomplish the feat. With her next rebound would become the 16th Gorilla since 1990-91 to have a 200+ rebound season.

MIAA Preseason Poll
The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association on October 6th announced the Preseason Coaches and Media Polls for Women's Basketball. In the coaches poll, Fort Hays State, Washburn, Pittsburg State and Central Missouri were picked to finish first-fourth. Nebraska - Kearney, Missouri Western, Missouri Southern , Northwest Missouri, Northeastern State and Arkansas - Fort Smith rounded out the top ten teams. Emporia State, Central Oklahoma, Rogers State and Newman completed the poll in 11-14. In the media poll, Pittsburg State was picked first and was followed by Fort Hays State, Washburn and Central Missouri in the top four. Rounding out the top ten in the media poll were Nebraska - Kearney, Missouri Western, Northwest Missouri, Arkansas - Fort Smith, Missouri Southern and Emporia State. Northeastern State, Central Oklahoma, Rogers State and Newman were picked to finish 11-14.

ESU Report
Emporia State is 11-10 on the season and 5-7 in the MIAA. Currently the Lady Hornets are tied for eighth in the league standings with Northwest Missouri. Emporia State this season on average is putting up 67.3 points and allowing 67.7 to opponents, in MIAA action those figures become 65.7 points scored and 71.3 points allowed per game. Kaitlyn Sanders leads the team with 15.9 points per game, going 106-of-131 (.809) from the charity stripe. Gracie Gilpin is the top shooting threat from distance, going 47-of-150 (.313) this season and is averaging 12.6 points a game. Macey Gandee is the top rebounder at 6.7 boards a game. This season at home the Lady Hornets are 8-2 overall, 3-2 in the MIAA. Falling to Fort Hays State (82-64, Jan. 8) and Washburn (63-52, Jan. 15).

Jets Scout
Newman will enter the weekend with a 7-14 overall record and sits at 1-11 in the MIAA. As a team, the Jets are scoring 65.0 points a game but allowing 66.9 on the season, in conference action they are putting up 58.8 points and allowing 71.7. Newman leads the MIAA with 551 three pointers attempts with their 161 makes ranking second in the league and .292 percentage from distance the 11th best in the association. Leading the offense is Jaeden McMilin with team-highes for points per game (15.6) and rebounds per game (6.9). Alexis Martin is the top option off the bench and is the other member of the team to average in double figures for points per game at 10.2 in 18.9 minutes. Martin so far this season has converted on 41-of-118 attempts from behind the arc (.347) to lead the team in all three categories. At home this season the Jets are 6-6 on the season, 1-5 in the MIAA. The lone win against conference foes was a 77-60 decision against Arkansas - Fort Smith (Dec. 6).

MIAA Stat Ranks (As of Feb. 3)
Team: Leads the MIAA with 74.3 points per game with a +11.6 scoring margin, a team three-point field goal percentage of .380, opponent three-point field goal percentage of .245 with opponents overall from the field shooting .356. From the free throw line the Gorillas lead the MIAA with a .807 percentage. Rank second in three-pointers made per game (7.2) and rebounds per game (42.0). Third in rebound margin at +6.9 and average attendance at 943.0. Fourth in scoring defense (62.6) and field goal percentage (.420).

Marin Adams: Leads the MIAA with a .891 free throw percentage. 12th in points per game (14.2) 14th in assists per game at 2.5 and 17th in three-pointers made per game (1.4).

Kaycee McCumber: Leads the MIAA with 11.4 rebounds per game and ranks fifth in free throw percentage at .867.

Harper Schreiner: Sixth in free throw percentage at .830 and assist-turnover ratio at 1.63. Seventh in assists per game at 3.3. 14th in steals per game at 1.5. 11th in rebounds per game (7.5) and 16th in points per game (12.5)

Ja'Miya Brown: 10th in three-pointers made per game at 1.8 and 22nd in points per game (11.6)

Amanda Byrnes: 13th in blocks per game at 0.9.

Clara Swearingen: 18th in three-pointers made per game (1.4)

Cambrie Phillips: 21st in blocks per game at 0.6 and 25th in three-pointers made per game (1.2).