PITTSBURG, Kan. – Two free throws from freshman Makyra Tramble with 3.1 seconds to play proved to be the difference as #20-ranked SWOSU picked up a big regional victory on Saturday by defeating Pittsburg State 84-83 at John Lance Arena.
 
SWOSU trailed by as many as five early in the fourth quarter, but they kept battling until taking their second lead of the period on a Bethany Franks three-pointer – her lone made field goal of the game – with 12 seconds to play. That would be the first of three lead changes in the closing seconds as Pitt State quickly rushed the ball up the court and got a lay-in with about four seconds remaining to go back in front 83-82.
 
As she caught the inbounds pass and started up court, Tramble was bumped and fouled by a Gorilla defender, which sent her to the line for free throws since PSU was over the limit. Following a short delay to check the time, SWOSU's freshman from Shawnee calmly stepped to the line and sank both free throws to give the Lady Dawgs the lead. Pitt State would call timeout to advance the ball into the front court, but with just three seconds to play, they were unable to get a good look at the basket.
 
Tramble finished with her first career double-double, totaling 26 points and 11 rebounds as she matched Maddie Sperle for team-high scoring honors. Sperle, who set a new career-high with 26 points, knocked down 10-of-18 field goal attempts, including 4-for-4 shooting from long range. Tyra Aska also reached double figures with 15 points in addition to seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot.
 
"I think it's very important to play these type of games early in the season. In order for this team to be great, we have to play great teams and Pitt State is definitely a great team," SWOSU Head Coach Kelsi Musick said following the contest. "We had some freshmen who really stepped up tonight in Makyra and Maddy North and I thought Maddie Sperle really responded and hit some big shots for us."
 
Now 2-0 on the year, SWOSU returns to action next weekend at the Lubbock Christian Classic with matchups against St. Mary's and Lubbock Christian, which will be a rematch of last season's NCAA Division II National Championship game.