Box Score DENTON, Texas (Jan. 13, 2018) - Texas Woman's University put up 30 points in the fourth quarter and outscored Texas A&M-Commerce by eight in the final 10 minutes, but the Pioneers were unable to overcome a slow start in an 80-73 loss to the Lions Saturday afternoon inside Kitty Magee Arena.
 
KJ Stastny recorded a game-high 23 points for TWU (6-7, 3-4 LSC), while Alexis Nezianya added 17 and Bri'anna Gray had 14. The Pioneers were outrebounded by the Lions (10-5, 6-1 LSC) 50-to-34 throughout the contest.
 
TAMUC led by as much as 20 in the second quarter, but TWU came within four in the fourth quarter from a 16-point deficit. A three-pointer by Desiree Phipps and two free throws by Gray brought the Pioneers within 63-52 with just under seven minutes to go. Stastny drilled a pull-up three, Gray hit another pair of free throws, and Apari completed a drive with under a minute to go to make it a two-possession game at 71-65.
 
With 24 seconds remaining, Head Coach Beth Jillson called a timeout and drew up a successful play from the sideline that had Stastny hitting a deep three to cut the deficit to 76-72 with 24 seconds left on the clock. The Lions made a pair of free throws on the other end, but Stastny produced a scoop shot in the lane while being fouled to keep it a four-point game with 16 left to play. TAMUC converted four free throws down the stretch to hold on for the seven-point win.
 
Stastny jumpstarted her scoring seven seconds into the game with a long two from the left baseline and completed a baseline drive on the next TWU possession for a 4-2 TWU edge. The Lions went on a 20-5 run to close the first quarter with a 22-13 lead over the Pioneers.
 
TAMUC continued their scoring barrage in the second quarter by opening with a 13-2 run for their largest lead of the game at 35-15. A trio of free throws and a spin move in the paint by Nezianya brought the Pioneers to within 40-29 at the break.
 
Nezianya scored a layup to begin the second half before the Lions pulled ahead 48-35 three minutes in. Nezianya put up another score in the lane midway through the third, but the Pioneers were unable to record another field goal in the quarter to trail 58-13 heading into the fourth.
 
Head Coach Beth Jillson said, "Proud of how we battled until the very end. We really struggled on the boards today and that was the key difference in the game. KJ had a phenomenal game and was a huge offensive threat, especially down the stretch."
 
The Pioneers head to Midwestern State Thursday for a 6 p.m. contest.