PORTALES, N.M. (Jan. 4, 2018) - Texas Woman's University was led by a season-highs of 19 points and 11 rebounds from Whitney Apari, but the Pioneers were unable to convert in the final seconds against Eastern New Mexico in a 58-56 loss Thursday night inside Greyhound Arena.
 
TWU (5-6, 2-3 LSC) shrunk a late six-point deficit to 55-54 with 90 seconds to play following a pair of free throws by Alexis Nezianya and one by Morgan Easley. The Greyhounds (7-6, 3-3 LSC) scored for a three-point advantage before Bri'anna Gray was fouled going to the hoop and sank both from the line to close the Pioneers to within one.
 
The fouling strategy worked for TWU on the next possession as the Greyhounds missed both free throws to give the Pioneers an opportunity with 22 seconds remaining. Attempts by Apari and KJ Stastny were off the mark, forcing TWU to foul again. ENMU hit one-of-two for a 58-56 edge with four seconds on the clock, and Apari's shot at the buzzer was too strong.
 
Apari notched her second double-double of the season with game-highs in points and rebounds. Gray totaled 12 points, and Nezianya added 11. The Pioneers accumulated nearly half of their points from the free throw line (26-of-30) while making only 14 field goals, a season-low. ENMU was able to score 28 points off of 21 TWU turnovers.
 
Each team struggled offensively to begin the game as the Pioneers held a 10-7 lead after the first quarter. TWU took an 18-16 lead on a fastbreak layup from Nezianya with three minutes to play before the half, and Nezianya was fouled at the buzzer and hit one free throw to put TWU up, 22-19.
 
Stastny drilled a three-pointer six minutes into the second half and made one from the line for a 35-32 Pioneer advantage, but five quick points by the Greyhounds flipped the lead to 37-35 heading into the final period. ENMU added another seven points to open the fourth period for a 12-0 run and 44-35 lead before TWU steadily closed the gap.
 
Head Coach Beth Jillson said, "We got some great looks tonight but struggled to finish at the rim. We battled hard on the boards. We will have a quick turnaround and will learn from it and respond Saturday."
 
The Pioneers head to Western New Mexico for a 3 p.m. CST game Saturday.