Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Six-two senior post Kyle Gafford scored 27 points as 23rd-ranked Pittsburg State pulled away from Nebraska-Kearney in the second half, 70-53, Saturday afternoon in Kansas.

The Gorillas win a 10th straight game to improve to 21-4 (15-4) while the Lopers fall to 12-12 (8-10 MIAA).

UNK hung around for most of the afternoon, leading 13-11 after the first quarter and trailing by only a 35-32 score at the break. However, Pitt held the Lopers to 21 second half points to win for the 11th time in its last 12 games.

"We played well early on," said UNK assistant coach Brandon Rohr. "There were a few possessions, offensively and defensively, where we needed to be a little better. It cost us in the end."

A three from junior point guard Alexa Hogberg (Chandler, Ariz.) at the end of the third quarter cut the Gorilla lead to seven, 55-48. UNK then recorded the first bucket in the fourth quarter but Pitt went on an 11-3 run that featured five points from Gafford.

"We tried to remind the team that you don't make comebacks by outscoring people. You have to get stops," said Rohr. "We had some good looks in the fourth but they didn't go down."

Gafford reached her game-high point total by making 10 of 15 shots and by sinking 7 of 8 free throws. She also had eight rebounds, three steals and two assists in 29 minutes of work.

Pitt finished with a plus 11 rebounding margin, had 36 points in the paint and made 17 of 20 free throws. UNK, meanwhile, was 10 of 20 from the line and shot 30% (7 of 23) after the break.

Besides Gafford, guards Mikaela Burgess and Paige Lungwitz scored 13 apiece with guard Hadyn Herlocker going 0 of 5 from the field but having team-highs in assists (seven) and boards (nine).

UNK got 18 points and six rebounds from Trenton senior guard Laramey Becker. She made six field goals, three from behind the arc. Finally, Kansas senior forward Bri Starks had 10 points and five defensive rebounds.

The Lopers host Lincoln and Lindenwood next weekend.