ST. JOSEPH – The 17th-ranked Missouri Western women’s basketball team handed Pittsburg State its first loss of the season Thursday, hanging on for an 83-75 win in the team’s first conference home game.

The Griffons led by as many as 21 in the second half but let Pittsburg State back into the game in the fourth quarter. Missouri Western led by 16 to open the final frame, a lead that quickly dropped to nine with 4:29 left in the game. The Griffons would extend the lead to 13 with 3:11 left but a 13-6 Pitt State run pulled the Gorillas within six with :45 left. Missouri Western would made four free throws down the stretch, two by LaQuinta Jefferson and two by Sarafina Handy to claim the eighth win of the season.

Missouri Western did not miss a free throw in the game, going 8-8. The Griffons shot 49 percent from the field, 52 percent in the second half. From three-point range, the Griffons shot 36 percent on the night. Most statistical categories were nearly even between the team other than Missouri Western’s 20 bench points and Pitt State’s six. Sefulu Faavae led the Griffons’ bench players with a career-high 13 points. Jefferson led all scorers with 24 points on 9-17 shooting and six rebounds. Miliakere Koyamainavure scored 13 with five rebounds and three assists. Julia Torres scored 11 before fouling out late in the game.

Missouri Western improved to 8-0 on the season and 3-0 in the MIAA. The Griffons host Missouri Southern, Saturday at 3 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —