Lady Bearcats Beat PSU
Southwest Baptist 80, Pittsburg State 69

BOLIVAR - The Lady Bearcats returned to their winning ways and defeated Pittsburg State on Tuesday, 80-69.

SBU (10-6, 4-3) led at the half 40-26. The Gorillas outscored the Lady 'Cats 43-40 in the second period, but SBU hung on for the victory.

SBU led by 16 points on three different occasions in the first half and by 10 points (45-35) with 15:57 left in the game. The Gorillas went on a 12-to-five run to get the score within three (50-47) with 11:45 left on the clock. The two teams would trade baskets until SBU led by just two points (58-56) with 7:22 left.

The Lady 'Cats then went on a 10-2 run to go up by 10 (68-58) with 4:48 remaining in the game. The Gorillas got back within four points (73-69) on two free throws by Katie Spieker with 1:35 left on the clock. However, SBU scored the last seven points of the game. Alicia Mercer connected on a layup with 1:13 left (75-69), then the Lady 'Cats combined for five-of-seven at the line in the last 45 seconds.

Amber Wheeler hit all four of her free throws, including the last two points of the game with two tick remaining, to put the victory into double digits.

Leading the Lady 'Cats in the win was Gwyn Smith with 16 points n 0 rbns for her league-leading ninth double-double. Also scoring 16 points was Allison Ramirez. Alicia Mercer, Jenny Miller and Ashley Bland all added 10 points apiece.

SBU shot .525 from the field (31-59), .368 from the three-point arc (7-19) and .688 from the charity stripe (11-16).

The Gorillas were led by Katie Spieker with 20 points and Stephanie Shanline with 16 points.

PSU's Amanda Davied became the Gorillas' all-time assist leader with an assist to Spieker at 5:17 in the second period.

SBU returns to action at 5:30 p.m. in St. Joseph on Saturday, Jan. 25 when the Lady 'Cats will tipoff aainst Missouri Western

Boxscore - SBU 80, PSU 69