The Missouri Western women’s basketball team battled once again but lost at Pittsburg State 74-69 on Saturday afternoon. The Griffons were led by Kyrsten Crawford as she scored a career high 15 points making 5-of-8 shots and 3-of-5 long range shots.

In a back and forth first half a three pointer at the buzzer by Tanner Tripp gave the Griffons women a 35-34 lead heading into the half. the Griffons jumped out to a 10-5 lead in the first five minutes of the half after two three’s one by Kyrsten Crawford and another by Sharniece Lewis. The Griffons kept up the pressure building its early lead to as many as seven at 18-11 and 21-14 midway through the frame.

The Gorillas battled back using a 11-4 run taking its first lead of the game at 25-24 after a layup by Antqunita Reed with 7:31 to play. The rest of the half was close with the Griffons outscoring the Gorillas 11-9 taking the one point lead into the locker room.

The Griffons had eight players score in double figures with Sharniece Lewis leading the way with 10 points. Quenisha Lockett, Tiffanie Abrams and Tiara Hall each had five points. The Griffons made 11-of-27 shots with five three pointers. The Griffons also outrebounded the Gorillas 16-14.

The Gorillas made 9-of-18 shots which included 2-of-3 from long range and 14-of-20 from the free throw line. Lizzy Jeronimus led the Gorillas with 13 points making 4-of-5 field goals and 5-of-6 free throws.

The Griffon women had a slow opening to the second half as the Gorillas outscored the Griffons 20-8 in the first 11 minutes of the half opening up their biggest lead of the game at 54-43 with 9:15 to play after two Alex Muff free throws.

The Griffons used the next six minutes to chip away at the Gorilla lead. They got as close as 67-63 after a S. Lewis jumper with 3:01 to play in the game. The rest of the game would be back and forth but the Gorillas came up with the 74-69 victory. The Gorillas improve to 11-4 overall adn 4-1 in the MIAA while the Griffons fall to 5-8 overall and 1-6 in MIAA play.

The Griffons shot better making 45.1-percent (23-51) from the field and 41.2-percent (7-17) from long range. The also made 16-of-24 free throws and outrebounded the Gorillas 31-27. Ten Griffons scored with S. Lewis finishing with 14 points while Lockett and Hall each had nine. Hall finished with eight boards for the Griffons.

The Gorillas made 50-percent (18-36) of their shots and 4-of-7 from the three point line. They also made 34-of-48 free throws. The Gorillas had three players in double figures with Jeronimus leading the way with 26 points making 16-of-18 free throws.

The Griffons return to road action on Wednesday, January 15 when they take on the 6th ranked Jennies of Central Missouri at 5:30 pm in Warrensburg, Mo.

— MWSU Sports Information —