Basketball | 12/6/2021 2:23:00 PM

RICHARDSON, Texas (Dec. 6, 2021) – After a 2-0 week for Texas Woman's University basketball, Brielle Woods was named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

Woods, a junior from DeSoto, Texas, lead the charge for the Pioneers defense in a week where they held their two opponents to an average of 24.4% from the field.

"Brielle sets the tone every game for our high level of defensive intensity," TWU head coach Beth Jillson said. "As the point of our defensive and offensive sets, Brielle's gritty work ethic shows across the entire floor. With deflections and stepping in passing lanes, her hard work goes beyond the stat sheet. She is so deserving of this honor."

This week, the Pioneers went on the road to battle two Lone Star Conference opponents in mandated nonconference action. On Dec. 2, TWU defeated University of Arkansas – Fort Smith by 36 points. Then, they traveled to Oklahoma Christian University on Dec. 4 and won by 19 points.

Against UAFS on Thursday night, the Pioneers went on a 23-0 run in the third quarter, holding the Lions scoreless until the 9:21 mark of the fourth quarter. Woods set the tone for the lockdown efforts of the Pioneers and finished the game with five steals, just one shy of her career high. Along with the five steals, she added a career high seven rebounds and 11 points on 50% from the field.

In the game against Oklahoma Christian, Woods carried over the same energy. Going 2-4 from three and 3-6 from the field to score eight points, Woods lead the Pioneers to their second win of the week. She also finished with one steal, two assists and three rebounds.

Nevertheless, defense prowess is not new for Woods, as she currently leads the team in total steals with 18 on the season. Averaging 2.3 steals per game has Woods currently ranked sixth in the Lone Star Conference.

As a team, defense has been at the core of TWU's six wins in 2021. The Pioneers are currently holding their opponents to just 34.6% from the field, which ranks 46th in the nation in Division II. Their opponents are also averaging 19.38 turnovers per contest

The Defensive Player of the Week award is the first for Woods and the first for TWU in the 2021 season.

The full Lone Star Conference release can be found here.