DENTON, Texas (Feb. 9) – TWU freshman Kara Mitchell scored a game-high 16 points to lead the Pioneers to a 66-48 win over visiting Eastern New Mexico Tuesday night in Kitty Magee Arena.  With the win TWU improved to 18-6 on overall and 8-4 in the Lone Star Conference.
 
The Pioneers led 46-42 after three quarters before outscoring ENMU, 20-6, in the final quarter.  TWU shot 72.7 percent in the fourth quarter going 8-for-11 from the floor.
 
Mitchell scored 11 of her 16 points in the second half.  Junior Emily Spector came off the bench and added 12 points while junior Erin Maxwell finished with eight points.  Senior Danielle Westerfield, junior Kenesha Saygo and sophomore Alexis Nezianya all scored seven points each.  Nezianya led the game with seven rebounds.
 
TWU started the game on a 7-2 run and pushed the lead to double digits, 14-4, halfway through the first quarter.  After leading by as many as 14 points, the Pioneers took a 22-10 lead at the end of the quarter.
 
The Greyhounds rallied in the second quarter and outscored TWU, 15-4, to make it a one-point game with 30 seconds remaining on the clock.  Saygo knocked down a pair of free throws in the final second to give the Pioneers a 28-25 halftime lead.
 
After both teams traded baskets early in the third quarter, ENMU used an 8-0 run to take a 37-32 lead.  TWU responded with a 12-2 run to go back on top 44-39 before taking a 46-42 lead after three quarters.
 
In the fourth it was all Pioneers as the scored three straight baskets to start the quarter and push the lead to double digits.  TWU held the Greyhounds to just two layups and two free throws in the quarter.
 
The Pioneers handed out 18 assists on 26 field goals and outrebounded ENMU, 38-29.
 
"We distributed the ball very well and found the open man," said TWU head coach Beth Jillson.  "Struggled a little in the second quarter but we regrouped and played much better in the second half.  Kara hit some big shots early in the fourth quarter to help us pull away.  Dani and Spector also hit some big shots off the bench."
 
The Pioneers will now head west to take on West Texas A&M on Saturday, Feb. 13.  Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in First United Bank Center.