Texas Woman's University Athletics

STEPHENVILLE, Texas (Nov. 11, 2017) - Desiree Phipps again set a career-high in points for Texas Woman's University as the Pioneers overcame a slow first three quarters of play to outscore Western State (Colo.) by 13 in the fourth period en route to a 55-50 win inside Wisdom Gym at the TexAnn Tip-Off Classic Saturday afternoon.
 
Phipps was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, including 3-for-3 on three-pointers all within the final quarter, for 15 points to break a career-high she established in last night's victory over St. Mary's. Bri'anna Gray also produced a career-best in points with 13. TWU (2-0) performed well from the line by going 16-for-18 as a team, as compared to a 16-of-30 showing by the Mountaineers (0-2).
 
The Pioneers were a bleak 10-of-41 from the field through the first three quarters while going 0-for-8 from beyond the arc. In the fourth quarter alone, TWU scored 27 points on 8-of-12 shooting and made their trio of threes during those 10 minutes.
 
With 7:24 to play, a layup by Alexis Nezianya gave the Pioneers a 38-37 edge, but a three by the Mountaineers placed TWU in a 42-40 deficit a minute later. Phipps then drained a pair of threes to hand TWU a 46-42 lead with just under five minutes to go.
 
An and-one by Western closed the deficit to 48-47 at the 3:09 mark before Gray converted a bucket in the paint to extend the lead to three. Free throws by Whitney Apari and Kara Mitchell put the Pioneers up, 53-48, with just under two minutes on the clock. Two more freebies by Mitchell upped the lead to six with 36 ticks remaining as TWU held on for the win.
 
Head Coach Beth Jillson said, "After starting slow I liked the way we responded in the fourth quarter. Des came off the bench and hit some big shots when we needed them the most. It's a great feeling anytime you can get two wins away from your home court but we can't wait to get back to Kitty Magee Arena and open up in front of our home crowd."
 
The Pioneers open their home season next weekend at the Best Western Pioneer Premier. TWU will face Regis Saturday at 4 p.m. and Central Oklahoma Sunday at 4 p.m.