Imagine a basketball game so intense, it takes overtime to decide the winner. That's exactly what happened when the Pittsburg State University women's basketball team, the Gorillas, staged a thrilling comeback to defeat the Western Colorado University Mountaineers 70-67 in overtime. This nail-biter concluded the Fairfield Inn & Suites Holiday Classic at Cameron University's Aggie Gymnasium in Lawton, Oklahoma, on December 20th, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.
But here's where it gets controversial... Was it sheer determination or strategic brilliance that fueled the Gorillas' rally? Led by the unstoppable Ja'Miya Brown, who scored a career-high 36 points, the Gorillas showcased both individual brilliance and team cohesion. Brown's performance—13-of-22 from the field, 7-of-13 from three-point range, and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line—tied her for the fourth-most points and three-pointers in a single game in Pittsburg State history. Harper Schreiner added 23 points and eight rebounds, proving to be a dynamic duo with Brown. Together, they propelled the Gorillas to convert 11 three-pointers, score 17 points off turnovers, and grab 12 second-chance points.
Western Colorado, however, was no pushover. Ivey Schmidt led the Mountaineers with 21 points and seven rebounds, while Jayda Maves chipped in 20 points. The team shot an impressive .458 from the field and .533 from three-point range, dominating the paint with 32 points. And this is the part most people miss... Despite their strong shooting, the Mountaineers couldn't hold off the Gorillas' relentless fourth-quarter surge.
Tied 29-29 at halftime, Western Colorado took a 47-40 lead into the fourth quarter after Penel Urquhart's near-buzzer-beating three-pointer. The Mountaineers extended their lead to 11 (52-41) with 5:54 left in regulation, but the Gorillas refused to back down. Brown's back-to-back three-pointers and Schreiner's fast-break and-one cut the deficit to 52-50 with 2:28 remaining. Brown's second-chance layup gave the Gorillas their first lead (54-53) since the second quarter with just 32 seconds left. Maves responded with a clutch three-pointer, but Brown's ice-cold free throws with nine seconds remaining forced overtime.
In the extra period, the Gorillas seized control early, only to see the Mountaineers retake a one-point lead (64-63) with 47 seconds left. Schreiner's three-pointer and subsequent free throws sealed the deal, giving the Gorillas a hard-earned victory. Here’s a thought-provoking question for you... Did the Mountaineers lose the game, or did the Gorillas simply outlast them? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Looking ahead, the Gorillas will resume MIAA play against the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith on January 1st at 1:30 p.m. (CT) in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Will they carry this momentum forward? Only time will tell.
