DENTON, Texas (Nov. 6, 2016) – Kenesha Saygo scored a game-high 15 points for Texas Woman's University in a 59-47 loss to Division I University of North Texas, bouncing back from a 22-6 first quarter deficit and outscoring UNT 18-8 in the second.
 
The Pioneers struggled from the field on 23-percent shooting but held the Mean Green to a 30-percent showing from the floor, including 0-for-9 from beyond the arc. TWU was outrebounded 56-to-41 but secured 11 steals off of 17 UNT turnovers.
 
TWU acquired all if its six points in the first quarter from the free throw line before recording the first field goal a minute-and-a-half into the second quarter on a Saygo jumper from the left side. A three from the top of the key by Saygo cut UNT's lead to 24-12, but the Mean Green scored twice in the paint to stretch the margin to 28-12. Emily Spector and Deja Pointer combined for 10 straight points, and a free throw by Andrea Mapua pulled the Pioneers to within 28-22 with less than two minutes to go before the half. UNT connected for two at the line, and KJ Stastny went coast-to-coast for the final score of the first half to send the Pioneers into the locker room trailing 30-24.
 
Two free throws by Kara Mitchell and a baby hook by Alexis Nezianya cut the lead of the Mean Green to two halfway through the third quarter. UNT connected on a layup two minutes later before Stastny dropped in a three from the left wing to cut the lead to 38-37. A free throw by Bri'anna Gray proved to be the final point over the next nine minutes of the contest for the Pioneers as the Mean Green went on a 13-0 run to jump ahead 55-39 with 2:43 to play. Saygo finished the final two minutes by hitting four from the line and scoring on two drives to the rim.
 
The Pioneers open the season in Wichita Falls, Texas, at the Ashbrook Classic hosted by Midwestern State on Nov. 11-12.  The Pioneers will face Texas A&M International in the season opener on Nov. 11 and then take on Adams State on Nov. 12.