DENTON, Texas (Nov. 13, 2021) – With one second left in the third overtime period, Brielle Woods sunk two free throws to seal a hard-fought win for Texas Woman's University over Metropolitan State University of Denver Saturday night 86-83.
 
TWU (2-0) and MSU Denver (1-1) faced off today as the only two undefeated teams in the opening weekend Conference Challenge. After forcing 33 turnovers in another impressive defensive effort, the Pioneers rose as the only undefeated team of the Conference Challenge.
 
"I am so proud of our team—the heart and fight they had to battle for 55 minutes," TWU head coach Beth Jillson said. "We definitely could have hung our heads, but we battled back and did a great job from the free throw line to seal the win."
 
As the Pioneers struggled to rebound against a strong Roadrunners post, Jaela Richardson, who grabbed 14 rebounds, they made up for the rebounding differential with their glowing success from the free throw line, hitting 37 out of 47 free throws in the game.
 
TWU jumped to an early 10-4 lead in the first quarter by drawing fouls and making shots in the paint. In a 19-14 first quarter lead, Agang Tac had six points for the Pioneers.
 
The Roadrunners tried to threaten the Pioneers lead in the second quarter, but could not overcome TWU's dynamic press and strong backcourt-dominate offense. In the second quarter, Ma'K'La Woods sparked the TWU offense with six points.
 
Despite MSU Denver closing the gap in the third quarter, TWU never trailed, maintaining a 45-41 lead headed into the fourth quarter.
 
With eyes set on the win, the Pioneers jumped into the fourth with a lot of energy. Brielle Woods hit a three in the first 30 seconds that electrified the bench and crowd. Then, Ma'K'La Woods finished a layup to put TWU up by five with 8:27 left on the clock. After the layup by Ma'K'La Woods, neither team scored for four minutes, when the Roadrunners ended the drought with a jumper at the 4:13 mark.
 
In a game defined by ties, the Roadrunners tied the game for the first time, 52-52, with 2:49 left in the fourth. With 55 seconds left, Brielle Woods gave TWU a two-point lead with two made free throws, but the Roadrunners came back down the court, hit a jumper, and sent the game into overtime.
 
The first overtime belonged to MSU Denver's offense, or so it seemed. The Roadrunners led by as much as four, but the Pioneers kept fighting. With four seconds left on the clock, Tac hit a clutch free throw to tie the game 67-67, sending the game into a second overtime.
 
Despite leading by as much as six in the second overtime and dominating the glass, the Roadrunners could not close the game, as TWU kept themselves alive again late in the second overtime with free throws, as Ashley Ingram hit two to keep TWU alive for a third overtime period.
 
The only points scored by the Pioneers in the third overtime came from the charity stripe. TWU scored 10 points off free throws in the third overtime alone to seal the win.
 
The triple overtime game tonight tied the second longest game in Pioneers history, which happened Jan. 22, 2000, in a loss to Angelo State University. Tonight was the longest game coached by Jillson since a four overtime win over Abilene Christian University Jan. 5, 2009.
 
Ma'K'La Woods was the leading scorer and rebounder for the Pioneers with 17 points and six rebounds. Three other Pioneers scored in double figures. Sadie Moyer added 14 points and Brielle Woods hit 12, while Tac and Keslyn King both finished with 11.  
 
"From start to finish, we can see it was a total team effort," Jillson said.

Following the final game of the Conference Challenge, an all-tournament team was named. King and Moyer both represented the Pioneers on the list, with Moyer being named MVP of the weekend. In TWU's first game against Western Colorado, King scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds and three steals. In the thrilling triple overtime win, King was a calm presence on offense and helped get the win with 11 points, four assists and three rebounds. Moyer earned MVP honors after being an electric spark for the Pioneers in both games. Against Western Colorado, Moyer finished with 12 points, four assists and four rebounds. In another outstanding effort on Saturday, Moyer score 15 points, notched two steals and grabbed two rebounds. 
 
The Pioneers will stay at home for their next game Wednesday, Nov. 17 against East Central University at 6 P.M.
 
Coach Beth Jillson discusses the thrilling win: https://youtu.be/-PN0IzPRy9o