DENTON, Texas (Feb. 1, 2018) - Bri'anna Gray of Texas Woman's University tied a career-high with 21 points, and Alexis Nezianya grabbed a career-best 17 rebounds to go along with 16 points for her eighth double-double on the season as the Pioneers recorded a crucial 76-58 win over UT Permian Basin Thursday night inside Kitty Magee Arena.
 
With the victory, TWU (8-11, 5-9 LSC) now sits ahead of UTPB (6-16, 4-10 LSC) for the eighth and final spot in the Lone Star Conference Tournament with three weeks of regular season play remaining. The Pioneers recorded their largest margin of victory this season in the win while shooting a season-best 52.9-percent from the field and outrebounding the Falcons 49-to-28.
 
TWU built a 20-point lead in the second quarter and led by as many as 19 in the third, but UTPB closed to within 49-42 five minutes into the second half. A layup by Gray and a three-pointer from Cienna Rodriguez pushed the Pioneers ahead, 54-42, a minute later. Desiree Phipps scored on a backdoor cut and drilled a three from the baseline amidst a 14-5 TWU run to finish the period.
 
Gray made an immediate impact in her return to the court with a pair of free throws and a layup on a no-look pass from Whitney Apari for a 4-0 TWU advantage. A Gray drive down the middle of the lane increased the lead to 8-3 three minutes into the contest. A fastbreak layup by Ma'K'La Woods and a pair from the line from Morgan Easley put the Pioneers up, 16-6, before the Falcons closed to within 22-15 at the break.
 
The Pioneers opened the second quarter on a 7-0 with free throws from Gray and Easley along with an and-one by Apari for a 29-15 lead. Phipps nailed a from the left side and Nezianya drove in from the top of the key for a bucket and a 41-21 advantage with under two minutes until the half.
 
After building a 16-point lead throughout three quarters of play, the Pioneers allowed two Falcon field goals to cut the deficit to 63-51 before scores inside from Gray, Rodriguez, and Nezianya, along with a jumper from Apari increased TWU's lead to 71-51 with 3:45 to play. Ajine Taylor scored the final four points for the Pioneers in the last minute for the 18-point win.
 
Head Coach Beth Jillson said, "Our players did an outstanding job on the boards, and we shared the ball well which led to high percentage shots. Bri got us off to a fast start. Des came in and hit some big shots at crucial moments, and Lex dominated on the boards to help up close out the game. Great team win in front of our home crowd."
 
The Pioneers host No. 25 West Texas A&M Saturday at 2 p.m.