LUBBOCK, Texas (Mar. 10) – The TWU basketball went toe-to-toe with No. 1 Lubbock Christian for three of the four quarters but a second-quarter run by LCU was the difference in a 95-75 loss at the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament. 
 
The Pioneers played without their top rebounder and shot blocker Erin Maxwell against the team that has four players over 6-1 including two over 6-4.  Maxwell was injured in the final minutes of the LSC Tournament semifinal game against Angelo State and was not available.
 
"Our players fought to the end and we were right with them in the first, third and fourth quarters but losing by 19 points in the second quarter was the difference," said TWU head coach Beth Jillson.  "Congrats to LCU.  They played a really good game on the home court.  Not having Erin affected us a little bit but we had lot of other players that stepped up.  I am proud of the season that we had and I am proud to coach these young ladies."
 
Junior Kenesha Saygo led the Pioneers in scoring with 20 on 7-for-15 shooting.  Senior Danielle Westerfield, playing in her final career game, added 13 points on 6-for-9 shooting.  Junior Emily Spector and freshman Bri'anna Gray added eigth points each.  Sophomore Alexis Nezianya was the team leader with eight rebounds.
 
The Pioneers came out on fire and took an early 8-2 lead.  TWU maintained a lead throughout the first after knocking down 4 of 7 three pointers.  With the Pioneers leading, 15-12, LCU went on a 9-3 run in the final three minutes of the quarter to take a 21-18 lead.
 
After shooting 50.0 percent in the first quarter, TWU struggled in the second as they made just 3 of 20 shots.  The Lady Chaps started the quarter on a 14-2 run to go on top by 15 points, 35-20.  LCU pushed the lead to 20 points at 2:59 mark before taking a 50-28 halftime lead.
 
In the third and fourth quarter the Pioneers regained their confidence and shot 50.0 percent from the floor.  TWU traded points with the Lady Chaps the entire third quarter as they each scored 22 points but the Pioneers outscored LCU, 25-23, in the fourth.
 
"It has been a great three years that I had at Texas Woman's University," said Westerfield.  "This was a great team and we advanced to the NCAA Tournament even though we didn't get a win.  We had a good season and I love this team."
 
The Pioneers end their season with a 21-10 overall record.