PORTALES, N.M. (Jan. 5) – The Pioneers struggled shooting the ball but managed to steal a win with a big fourth-quarter rally at Eastern New Mexico Tuesday night in Greyhound Arena.  TWU captured a 59-54 victory and improved to 13-2 on the season and 3-0 in the conference.
 
Junior Kenesha Saygo led the game with 18 points including 11-for-12 from the free throw line.  Junior Erin Maxwell recorded a game-high 14 rebounds and four blocks while freshman Kara Mitchell added 11 points.  Senior Danielle Westerfield came off the bench and cleared seven rebounds and junior Emily Spector chipped in seven points.
 
Both teams struggled offensively as they shot under 30.0 percent in the game.  TWU rallied from a 10-point deficit late in the third quarter and outscored the Greyhounds, 22-9, in fourth.
 
After making two out of the first three field goals, the Pioneers went cold as the missed their next seven shots in the first quarter.  However, TWU trailed by just three points halfway through the quarter and was down 16-14 after one.
 
In the second quarter neither team led by more than two points.  After four ties and five lead changes, the Pioneers took a 26-24 halftime lead.
 
In the third TWU scored the first basket before the Greyhounds went on a 16-2 run to take a 40-30 lead at 4:27 mark.  The Pioneers chipped away to cut their deficit to six but a jumper at the buzzer gave ENMU at 45-37 lead after three.
 
The Pioneers opened the fourth quarter on a 12-1 run to regain the lead, 49-46.  With the Pioneers leading 55-53 and 40 second showing on the clock, Maxwell recorded her fourth block of the game on a jumper by ENMU's Mikaehla Conner and grabbed her 14th rebound.  Mitchell sealed the win for TWU going 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final 30 seconds. 
 
"We really struggled shooting the ball tonight," said TWU head coach Beth Jillson.  "I am really proud of how we kept our composure and played a really good fourth quarter.  Once again our defense carried us, and I am happy to come out with a win."
 
The Pioneers will return to action when they host No. 1 West Texas A&M on Saturday, Jan. 9.  Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Kitty Magee Arena.