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Curtis Meyer, Reporter
The lady Gorillas won a well-matched game against the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos, nothing their sixth straight win, with a score of 82 to 75. Pitt State is now 16-4 overall and 11-3 in MIAA play, after being picked to finish 8th in the MIAA during the preseason.
“I feel like people doubted them to start, they got picked 8th. I don’t think that’s our mantra but I’m sure it provided some catalyst early, I think they like each other, and so I think they play hard for each other and don’t mind sharing the basketball. I think everybody trusts their coaches and everybody’s working hard for the common goal,” said head coach Amanda David.
Neither team held an advantage throughout the first half, with Central Oklahoma opening scoring on a turnover by PSU. Pitt State came right back, with fifth year senior Tristan Gegg scoring one of her five 3-pointers of the night.
Pitt State and Central Oklahoma battled it out for the next 7 minutes, with the Gorillas holding a slim 14-12 lead with 3:28 left in the 1st quarter. This wouldn’t last long, as the Bronchos went on a 6 point run. The Gorillas scored the final point of the quarter with a minute to go.
Neither team could find points for the final minute, with both teams exhibiting good defense. The Bronchos held an 18-16 lead as time expired.
The second quarter started much like the first, with the Gorillas briefly reclaiming the lead before the Bronchos tied it again at 21 with 7:48 remaining. The Gorillas responded, outscoring the Bronchos for the remainder of the quarter to take a 9 point lead at the half.
“We had a little run there, with Grace making a three, we talked about it in the timeout. We’re like hey, these looks are great, just keep playing defense we got to do better than allowing 18 points in the first quarter, and you’ll find these same looks. We just had to get in our rhythm, I mean we were completely out of rhythm. Shooting corners, somebody else was taking shots they don’t normally take, just not in flow,” said David.
The Broncho started scoring in the third, sinking a jumper to cut the deficit to 7. Both teams fought back and forth, but Pitt State kept the lead, with the offense beginning to open up. Central Oklahoma fought back, tying it at 52 with 2:07 left in the third.
Pitt State went on an 8-0 run to make it 60 to 52 as time expired. Pitt State would not let go of the lead from this point on, commanding a 69-59 lead in the fourth.
They refused to allow the Bronchos to get closer than 8 points for the rest of the quarter, keeping Central Oklahoma at bay. The Bronchos closed in as the quarter expired, but a couple of late free throws by sophomore Grace Pyle kept the lead intact, and the Broncho’s last gasp at came with 15 seconds left, leading to the final score of 83-75.
