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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. —
The Pittsburg State women led for 34 minutes, 58 seconds Wednesday night against Missouri Western.
In the end, all that span in the lead proved meaningless as Western took over late and handed Pitt State its second consecutive loss for the first time this season, 70-65. Western ended a three-game losing streak.
“I thought we did a nice job tonight,” Pitt State head coach Lane Lord told Eddie Lomshek of KKOW. “We played hard and we played as a team. They’re just a little more athletic than we are and we struggled with their athleticism at times, certainly late when we had some big turnovers with their press. You know, I’m proud of our kids, we played hard and we had a chance to win at the end.”
Y’Cedria Devers gave Pitt State a 58-53 lead on a 3-point shot out of a timeout but by the next time Pitt State reached the scoring column, Western had gained a 63-58 lead with a 10-0 run, including five straight points by guard Alicia Bell which placed the Griffons in the lead.
Lizzy Jeronimus and Drew Roberts made 3s down the stretch for Pitt State but missed crucial free throws. Jeronimus shot 2-7 and Roberts 2-4 at the foul line, both players who have been historically solid with free throws.
The Gorillas were again stung by turnovers and the opponents’ offensive rebounding. Pitt State committed 16 turnovers and surrendered 17 offensive rebounds, which combined in Western attempting 15 more shots than PSU.
“It’s really tough,” Lord said. “They’re so athletic. We try to block them out but they do a great job of crashing the boards. You’ve got to tip your cap to them. They won the ballgame. We had the lead the whole ballgame and they made plays down the stretch. Good job for them.”
Heather Howard, a 6-foot-3 senior transfer from Oklahoma State, led Western with 15 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots. She entered with averages of 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds. Howard and Jeronimus both attended Shawnee Mission West High School.
JaQuitta Dever and Brittany Griswold both added 14 points for the Griffons but it was Bell who proved clutch for Western with 11 points, eight rebounds (five offensive), four assists, one steal, one block and 5-6 free throws.
Jeronimus notched a double-double with a game-high 21 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, plus two assists, two steals and one block. Her five missed free throws proved a big difference.
The Pittsburg State women led for 34 minutes, 58 seconds Wednesday night against Missouri Western.
In the end, all that span in the lead proved meaningless as Western took over late and handed Pitt State its second consecutive loss for the first time this season, 70-65. Western ended a three-game losing streak.
“I thought we did a nice job tonight,” Pitt State head coach Lane Lord told Eddie Lomshek of KKOW. “We played hard and we played as a team. They’re just a little more athletic than we are and we struggled with their athleticism at times, certainly late when we had some big turnovers with their press. You know, I’m proud of our kids, we played hard and we had a chance to win at the end.”
Y’Cedria Devers gave Pitt State a 58-53 lead on a 3-point shot out of a timeout but by the next time Pitt State reached the scoring column, Western had gained a 63-58 lead with a 10-0 run, including five straight points by guard Alicia Bell which placed the Griffons in the lead.
Lizzy Jeronimus and Drew Roberts made 3s down the stretch for Pitt State but missed crucial free throws. Jeronimus shot 2-7 and Roberts 2-4 at the foul line, both players who have been historically solid with free throws.
The Gorillas were again stung by turnovers and the opponents’ offensive rebounding. Pitt State committed 16 turnovers and surrendered 17 offensive rebounds, which combined in Western attempting 15 more shots than PSU.
“It’s really tough,” Lord said. “They’re so athletic. We try to block them out but they do a great job of crashing the boards. You’ve got to tip your cap to them. They won the ballgame. We had the lead the whole ballgame and they made plays down the stretch. Good job for them.”
Heather Howard, a 6-foot-3 senior transfer from Oklahoma State, led Western with 15 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots. She entered with averages of 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds. Howard and Jeronimus both attended Shawnee Mission West High School.
JaQuitta Dever and Brittany Griswold both added 14 points for the Griffons but it was Bell who proved clutch for Western with 11 points, eight rebounds (five offensive), four assists, one steal, one block and 5-6 free throws.
Jeronimus notched a double-double with a game-high 21 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, plus two assists, two steals and one block. Her five missed free throws proved a big difference.
Morgan Westhoff and Drew Roberts added 14 and 11 points, respectively, as Roberts made three 3s and Westhoff knocked down a pair of trifectas. Pitt State, which has struggled with its 3-point shooting at times, finished 8-17 on Wednesday, 47.1 percent. The Gorillas shot a higher percentage on 3s.
“I think we had some good looks tonight,” Lord said. “When we were able to break the press, we were able to get 3-on-2s and 2-on-1s.”
Devers finished with nine points, five rebounds and four assists before fouling out, continuing to contribute since Hailey Roderique went down with a season-ending injury. Brigit Hesser added five points for the Gorillas.
Pitt State (12-6, 6-4 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) closes out its three-game road stand Saturday night against Washburn. Lee Arena in Topeka has traditionally been a house of horrors for the Gorillas — Pitt State last defeated Washburn in Topeka in 2001.
In other MIAA games Wednesday night, Fort Hays State defeated Central Oklahoma 84-77, Central Missouri defeated Lincoln 77-67 and Emporia State wiped out Nebraska-Kearney 88-53.
Rachel Hanf led Emporia State (on a four-game winning streak) with a career-high 25 points and 12 rebounds. Frontenac native Emily Barto reached the scoring column with a free throw and added two rebounds and one assist.
Keuna Flax and Nicole Caddell of Central Missouri both finished with 20-10 games Wednesday, Flax 22 points and 11 rebounds, Caddell 20 points and 15 rebounds. Arriana Walker led Lincoln with 22 points and nine rebounds.
NOTE: Pitt State head coach Lane Lord remains stuck on 99 career wins on the Gorillas’ sideline. Lord, who took over for the 2007-2008 season, owns a 99-64 career record, 66-44 in MIAA play. With his 100th victory, Lord would join Steve High (296-201, .596) and Barb Crill (151-139, .521) in the 100-win club. Pitt State owns a .610 winning percentage during the Lord Era.
