DENTON, Texas (Dec. 13) – Four TWU players scored in the double-digits as the Pioneers cruised to an 80-55 win over Puerto Rico-Mayagüez on Saturday afternoon in an open air gym setting.  With the win, TWU improved to 5-4 on the season.
 
The Pioneers were in a sharing mood for the pre-holiday trip to Puerto Rico as they handed out 24 assists on 30 field goals made.  TWU shot 44.1 percent from the floor and outrebounded UPRM, 52-26. 
 
Two TWU players - senior Ashley Salazar and sophomore Emily Spector - scored a game-high 18 points each while sophomore Taylor Nolan came off the Pioneers' bench and scored a career-high 13 points.  Senior Ria Pateraki also reached double-digits for TWU with 10 points.  Junior Danielle Westerfield led the Pioneers on defense with nine rebounds while Nolan and sophomore Kenesha Saygo cleared seven boards each.  Five TWU players handed out three or more assists led by senior Barbara-Scott Kolb with five.
 
The Pioneers shot 53.3 percent in the first half and built a 47-27 lead at the break.  TWU extended the lead to 29 points midway through the second half before settling for a 25-point win.  Every player in uniform appeared in the game for the Pioneers and contributed to the win.
 
"It was nice to see every player get in the game," said TWU head coach Beth Jillson.  "We played in an open-air gym and we needed everyone to play in the game with the temperatures in the 80s.  We played well on both ends and I am very happy with our assist total.  We still need to work on taking care of the ball.  We are playing a better team tomorrow and we need to be sharp on both offense and defense."
 
The Pioneers will return to action when they play the host Puerto Rico- Bayamón on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 10:00 a.m. CST (12:00 p.m. AST).