PITTSBURG, Kan. – Pittsburg State (13-9, 9-5) scored the final eight points to rally and defeat the Missouri Western women's basketball team (17-6, 9-5) on Wednesday night 74-71.The Griffons built their biggest lead of the game with 2:23 left in the game, 71-66, before the Gorillas went on an 8-0 run to win a game they led for close to 23 minutes. Missouri Western had its chances in the closing seconds. Katrina Roenfeldt missed a 3-point shot with four seconds remaining in MWSU's final possession of the game. Pittsburg State had made two free throws on their prior possession to give the Gorillas the 74-71 lead. Prior to those made foul shots, the Griffons committed a turnover with 12 seconds left down by just one. Pittsburg State had built its largest lead of the game, 47-39, with 7:11 left in the third, but the Griffons rallied for a 10-0 run to take its first lead of the second half.Missouri Western played well offensively all night, but the Gorillas were better. On the night, Pitt State shot 53.3% from 3-point range (8-15) while the Griffons were 18.8% with just three long-range makes. Pittsburg State outscored the Griffs by one in the first quarter and two in the second quarter to take a three-point lead to halftime. The teams were dead even in the second half. Pittsburg State was whistled for just eight fouls in the game, with one ruled flagrant and the other in MWSU's final possession. Five of those fouls came in the second half. The teams were nearly even from the field, with MWSU actually making five more two-point shots.NOTABLES- The loss left Missouri Western tied for fifth in the MIAA standings with Pittsburg State. The two teams will see each other again, Feb. 19 in St. Joseph.- It was the seventh consecutive loss for MWSU to Pittsburg State and the eighth consecutive at John Lance Arena.- Pittsburg State's eight fouls were the fewest by an MWSU opponent since Northwest Missouri was whistled for just seven in Maryville last February in a 66-56 Griffon win.- The Griffon bench contributed 22 points, 16 in the first half. Logan Hughes aided that effort, scoring a career-high nine points in the first half.Missouri Western won the rebound battle, 39-33.- The Griffons forced 11 Pittsburg State turnovers and committed just nine with 20 assists.- Pittsburg State made five more 3-pointers than the Griffons and went 14 of 17 at the free throw line while MWSU was 6 of 7 on foul shots.- Corbyn Cunningham led MWSU with 22 points on 11 of 19 shooting with nine rebounds.- Chris Wilson chipped in 14 points on 6 of 11 shooting.- Anastacia Johnson and Katrina Roenfeldt each had five assists for the Griffons.- Simone Walker scored eight off the bench with two assists and a block.UP NEXTMissouri Western will try to bounce back at Missouri Southern (7-14, 4-9) on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.--- MWSU Athletics ---

MWSU women let late lead slip away, lose at Pittsburg State 74-71