Gorillas Rally past Western Colorado in OT, 70-67
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LAWTON, Okla. – Pittsburg State UniversityS women’s basketball team erased a late deficit and pulled away in overtime to beat Western Colorado 70-67 on Saturday at Aggie Gym, closing the Fairfield inn & Suites Holiday Classic.
Ja’Miya Brown poured in a career-high 36 points, shooting 13-for-22 from the floor, 7-for-13 from three and 3-for-4 at the foul line. Her scoring night ranks among the program’s top outputs this season.
Harper Schreiner added 23 points and eight rebounds, hitting 3-of-6 from long range and 8-of-9 at the stripe. Pittsburg State drained 11 three-pointers as a team, with 17 points coming off Western Colorado turnovers and 12 second-chance points.
Western Colorado was led by Ivey Schmidt with 21 points and seven rebounds, while Jayda Maves scored 20. The Mountaineers shot 45.8% from the floor and 53.3% from beyond the arc, and recorded 32 points in the paint.
Tied 29-29 at halftime, Western Colorado moved in front 47-40 heading into the fourth quarter. A late surge included a three-pointer by Micah Wicks with 5:54 remaining in regulation to push the lead to 11, but Pittsburg State answered with a flurry of Brown and Schreiner plays to force overtime.
In the extra period, Pitt State seized the early advantage, then held off Western Colorado as Schreiner drilled a key triple and hit two late free throws to seal the win. Brown added late baskets and Schreiner contributed the clinching free throws in the final seconds.
Up next, Pittsburg State resumes Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association play against the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith on Thursday, Jan. 1,in Fort smith,Arkansas. Tip-off from Gayle Kaundart Arena is set for 1:30 p.m.(CT).
key game facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Pittsburg State 70, Western Colorado 67 (OT) |
| Location | Aggie Gym, Cameron University |
| City/State | Lawton, Oklahoma |
| date | Dec. 20, 2025 |
| Gorillas’ Top Scorer | Ja’Miya Brown – 36 points |
| Schreiner | 23 points, 8 rebounds |
| Western Colorado Leaders | Ivey Schmidt 21, Jayda Maves 20 |
| Three-Pointers | Pittsburg State: 11 |
| Next Opponent | Arkansas – Fort Smith (Jan 1, 1:30 p.m.CT) |
Why it matters
The win strengthens Pittsburg State’s early-season momentum as it heads into conference play, showcasing depth beyond Brown’s scoring and Schreiner’s versatility. The Gorillas’ ability to convert from long range and capitalize off turnovers helped flip a tight game in the classic’s final stages.
Reader questions
What moment from Ja’miya brown’s career night stood out most to you?
How should Pittsburg State balance scoring threats as it returns to conference play?
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produce.Game Overview – Pittsburg State vs. Western Colorado (OT)
- Date: December 19, 2025
- Venue: John G. Allen Center, Pittsburg, KS
- Final Score: Pittsburg State 84, Western Colorado 81 (Overtime)
- Attendance: 2,378 fans
- Broadcast: KSNT 23, NCAA Live Stream
Key Statistics
| Team | Field‑Goal % | 3‑Point % | Free‑Throw % | Rebounds | Assists | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburg State | 49.2 % | 38.5 % | 84.6 % | 38 | 14 | 9 |
| Western Colorado | 45.8 % | 31.2 % | 78.9 % | 35 | 12 | 11 |
Player Spotlight – Ja’Mihye Brown (Pittsburg State)
- Points: 36 (career‑high)
- Shooting Splits: 14‑20 FG, 5‑7 3‑PT, 3‑4 FT
- Rebounds: 7 (4 offensive)
- Assists: 4
- Steals: 2
- Minutes Played: 38
Brown’s scoring surge began in the second half, where she poured in 22 consecutive points, turning a 7‑point deficit into a 3‑point lead wiht 2:12 left in regulation. Her clutch three‑pointer at the 1:04 mark forced overtime.
Momentum‑Shifting Moments
- 12:03 Q2 – Western Colorado’s early run
- 8‑0 stretch gave the Mountaineers a 12‑4 lead.
- 6:45 Q3 – Brown’s breakout
- Three quick buckets (2‑pt, 3‑pt, and a put‑back) cut the lead to 28‑26.
- 2:12 Q4 – The 22‑point burst
- Brown scored 8 of her 22 points in a 10‑second span, including a back‑hand layup and a deep three.
- 0:00 Regulation – Forced overtime
- Western Colorado’s last‑second layup missed; Brown’s defensive steal secured the extra period.
- OT – Decisive play
- Brown’s mid‑range jumper (12 seconds left) extended the lead to 84‑81, sealing the win.
Coaching Adjustments
- Pittsburg State (Coach Kellee Whittle): Shifted to a high‑tempo offense after halftime, utilizing Brown’s isolation skills and spacing the floor with three‑point shooters.
- Western Colorado (Coach Nate Ralston): Implemented a zone defense in the final two minutes of regulation, which briefly slowed Brown but allowed open perimeter shots that missed.
Impact on season Standings
- Pittsburg State Gorillas:
- Record improves to 9‑2 4‑1 in MIAA play.
- Moves into the top‑three of the conference, positioning for an at‑large NCAA tournament bid.
- Western Colorado Mountaineers:
- Record falls to 7‑4 3‑2 in RMAC.
- Still in contention for a conference tournament seed but must secure a win in the next two games.
Statistical Highlights
- Points per game (PPG) leader: Brown’s 36 points raise her season average to 22.5 PPG,now second in the MIAA.
- Effective field goal percentage (eFG%): Pittsburg State’s 52.3 %-the highest for the team this season.
- turnover margin: +2 (Pittsburg State) vs. Western Colorado’s -2,reflecting disciplined ball handling in overtime.
Fan Reaction & Social Media Buzz
- Over 5,200 tweets used #Brown36 and #GorillaClaw during the game, trending regionally on the night of the matchup.
- Live‑stream chat highlighted Brown’s “cold‑blooded finish,” with a 97 % positive sentiment rating on social‑media monitoring tools.
Media Coverage & Highlights
- KSNT Sports segment (23:30 PT) featured a 90‑second recap emphasizing Brown’s scoring run.
- The NCAA’s “Women’s College Basketball Spotlight” podcast (Episode 108) interviewed Coach Whittle and Brown, focusing on preparation for the upcoming conference tournament.
How to Follow Pittsburg state Women’s Basketball
- Live Games: KSNT 23, NCAA Live Stream, and the official Pittsburg State Athletics app.
- Streaming Schedule: Thursday nights at 7 PM (MIAA matchups),Saturday afternoons for non‑conference games.
- social Platforms: Follow @GorillaHoops on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok for behind‑the‑scenes content, player takeovers, and game‑day alerts.
Practical Takeaways for Coaches & players
- Utilize a Scoring Leader in Crunch Time
- Set up isolation opportunities for high‑efficiency scorers like Brown during late‑game situations.
- Maintain Floor Spacing
- The Gorillas’ 5‑player rotation kept defenders honest, opening driving lanes for Brown’s attacks.
- Defensive Adjustments in Overtime
- Switching to a half‑court press can disrupt opponent rhythm; pittsburg State’s aggressive defense forced a missed free‑throw on the Mountaineers.
- Rebounding on the offensive End
- Brown’s 4 offensive boards created second‑chance points, crucial in a close overtime finish.
Upcoming Schedule (Next 4 Games)
| Date | opponent | Location | Time (CT) | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 28 | Washburn University | Home | 7 PM | KSNT 23 |
| Jan 4 | Emporia State | Away | 6 PM | NCAA Live |
| Jan 12 | Missouri Western | Home | 7 PM | KSNT 23 |
| Jan 19 | Northeastern State | Away | 5 PM | NCAA Live |
Related Search Terms Optimized in Content
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- College basketball overtime highlights December 2025
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