Press Release

Dec. 31, 2008

Uriell's 21 Points Not Enough Against Gorillas

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PITTSBURG, Kan. - Micaela Uriell scored a career-high 21 points and shot five-of-seven from beyond the three-point line, but it wouldn't be enough as Northwest Missouri State dropped a 73-70 against Pittsburg State on the road

Northwest (5-7, 1-4 MIAA) tied the game twice within the first 75 seconds but could never take the lead during the first half. Pittsburg State (8-3, 4-1 MIAA) held an eight-point lead, 42-34, at halftime after leading by as many as 15 points during the first 20 minutes.

A three-pointer by Uriell capped a five-point rally by Northwest at the beginning of the second half to cut the Gorilla led to three points, but Pittsburg State answered with a rally of their own and built up an 11-point led with 14 minutes remaining.

A 12-2 Bearcat rally brought Northwest within one with 9:40 remaining, which set up the first Northwest lead at 8:26 off a layup from Meghan Brue. Northwest would build up a five-point lead at 70-65 with 4:16 remaining before the Gorillas scored the final eight points for the 73-70 victory.

Uriell set career-bests in points (21), field goals (7), three-point field goals (5), three-point field goals attempted (7), rebounds (9), minutes (34) and matched her career-best with a pair of blocked shots.

Rickeya McElroy scored 13 points off the bench and moved into a tie for 11th in program season records with her 20th block this season. Jessica Burton scored 12 points and Meghan Brue recorded her 11th straight game in double-digit points with 10 today.

Up Next: Northwest receives a bye in the MIAA schedule this Saturday before hosting rival-Missouri Western Jan. 7 at 5:30 p.m. The Griffons remain winless (0-11, 0-5 MIAA) after a 58-57 lost at Missouri Southern this afternoon