DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 16, 2016) – Late free throws were the deciding factor in a 59-58 victory for Texas Woman's University over Embry Riddle during the final game of the Bahama House Classic Saturday afternoon inside the ICI Center.
 
Kenesha Saygo recorded a team-high 14 points and Kara Mitchell totaled 12 for the Pioneers (9-3, 2-2 Lone Star). TWU struggled from the outside, only hitting one of 11 tries from beyond the three-point line, but fared better defensively by acquiring 14 steals and forcing 21 ERAU turnovers.
 
The Pioneers led 56-48 with 4:24 left in the game before the Eagles (8-3, 5-2 Sunshine State) scored nine unanswered points to take a one-point lead with 1:47 remaining. Saygo converted one of two from the line for a 57-57 tie with 63 seconds to play. With eight seconds to go, Kara Mitchell was fouled on a shot attempt and hit both tries for a two-point advantage. ERAU had a chance to tie with two seconds to play missed the first of two free throws to seal the win for the Pioneers.
 
TWU fell behind 19-9 in the first quarter before Easley made a layup to push the Pioneers into double-digits in the scoring column. Trailing 24-15 in the second period, Saygo hit a layup while Mitchell and Emily Spector each knocked down a pair from the line to pull within 24-21 before the Eagles jumped ahead 34-24 and closed out the half up by eight.
 
A jumper by Easley at the 1:44 mark of the third quarter tied the contest at 44-44, and two Easley free throws handed TWU a two-point edge with 50 seconds remaining in the period. ERAU took the lead on a layup to begin the fourth quarter, but Mitchell put the Pioneers back in front on a score in the paint. Alexis Nezianya recorded a bucket, Saygo made two free throws and Spector tallied a jumper for a 55-48 TWU lead halfway through the quarter.
 
The Pioneers resume conference play at home Jan. 5 with a 7 p.m. matchup against Western New Mexico.