[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]
Pitt State’s women’s basketball has found itself in a three-game slide after an 18-5 start to the season, with just two games left before the MIAA tournament. Hosting the last two home games of the year, the Gorillas were unable to pull out a win, despite some close competition.
“I don’t feel like we competed quite as well as we wanted to, I feel like we are still getting our competitive spirit back after a couple of losses that will probably determine our postseason,” head coach Amanda Davied said.
The Gorillas began by hosting Nebraska Kearney on Thursday night, falling short 72-62. Things remained close throughout the majority of the game, with Pitt State’s last lead coming in the final minutes of the third quarter. The Lopers would outscore the Gorillas the rest of the way, as Pitt State was unable to catch up late.
Junior Ja’Miya Brown scored a team-leading 21 points for the Gorillas, while freshman Marin Adams also finished with 13 points. The Gorillas shot 45.5 percent from the field in the game, making 25 of 55 attempts. No other Gorillas scored more than four points in the loss.
“Winning kind of makes you soft; losing, if you allow it, makes you tougher. That’s where we lost a couple in a row we shouldn’t have, and we didn’t fight as hard in that,” Coach Davied said.
Things looked much better for Pitt State in the following game on Saturday, when they hosted #6 ranked Fort Hays State. The Tigers would be held to just six points in the second quarter, as Pitt State enjoyed a 34-25 lead at halftime. The Gorillas continued to hold the advantage throughout the game, but Fort Hays would go on a 17-5 run in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter to force overtime. In OT, the Gorillas would get outscored 9-6, as Pitt State lost 74-71.
“Saturday was a heartbreaker. I felt like we dominated the whole game until the last thirty seconds, when we couldn’t hang on. I felt like we were looking to get some revenge on, and if nothing else, show that we could compete,” Davied said.
Pittsburg State got 21 points from Brown, 17 points from sophomore Clara Swearingen, and a 16-point 22-rebound double-double from freshman Kaycee McCumber. McCumber tied the school record for rebounds in a game and collected her eighth double-double of the season.
“Not only did we compete, but actually dominated and had a lead for most of the game. We were up ten or more, we really felt like we had control of the game against a good opponent, guarding the best point guard and scorer in the league. That’s athletics; the universe doesn’t tilt back your way just because you nearly do everything right,” Davied said.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
psucollegio 