Basketball | 11/10/2022 1:15:00 PM

DENTON, Texas (Nov. 10, 2022) – Line-ups have been announced. Team chants have reverberated throughout the gym. Starters have taken the floor. Two players stand in the center of the court, awaiting the throw of the ball from the referee. The tip-off of every basketball game holds anticipation, nervousness and, above all, excitement.

The same emotions arise at the beginning of the season, as the entire team looks ahead to that center circle moment – the first tip-off.

Tomorrow night in Western Colorado, the Texas Woman's University basketball team will take the court for the first time to begin the 2022-23 season.

Last season, the Pioneers surprised people, by being at the top of the Lone Star Conference, earning the fourth seed in the NCAA Regional Tournament and advancing to the regional semifinal.

No longer a clear underdog in a strong conference and region, TWU received votes in both the WBCA Preseason Top 25 and the D2SIDA Preseason Poll.

As seniors Ngozi Obineke and Brielle Woods take the court for their final ride as TWU Pioneers, they both said they cannot wait for the season to begin.

"I am most excited to be back with my teammates to make another run, accomplish more milestones and make more history again," Woods said.

For Obineke, she said she wants to bring a hunger to win to every game this season.

"I just want to leave it all out on the court," Obineke said. "I want to be able to do everything I know I can do."

While the Pioneers may not be considered underdogs, Woods said their mindset this season is still to approach every game with humility.

"This team is still approaching the season like we are underdogs," Woods said. "We aren't going to let anything get to our head. We are going to stay humble, continue to work hard and improve each practice and game. We will surprise people once again as soon as the season starts."

The Pioneers already started off the season by surprising the University of Texas at Arlington. In their lone exhibition game of the season, TWU took the Mavericks to overtime, only losing by four points to a team who made the NCAA Division I Tournament last season.

From that game, Obineke said the team gained confidence, which they will take into the start of the season.

"It shows everyone, but most of all it shows us how great we are and the potential we have as a team," Obineke said.

Woods, who scored 22 in the game against UTA, last year was a two-time LSC Defensive Player of the Week and an All-Conference honoree, said she wants to be persistent this year and continue to improve every day.

"This is a bittersweet moment, and the feelings really haven't hit me yet," Woods said. "I just want this to be one of many fun and exciting experiences that I will have in my senior season."

Obineke, who grabbed a double-double (points and rebounds) against UTA was not a constant in last year's lineup. After the work she put in the offseason, she earned a place in the lineup this season.

Obineke said last year taught her a lot about herself and strengthened her mentally, pushing her to put in the work this season.

"I feel like this school in general and last year has really built my faith," Obineke said. "I am way stronger than before. In every aspect, I am thankful that I came here."

While this year's roster is still young, returners and newcomers alike have continued to prove they are ready to step into their role and find ways to contribute to total team success.

For Woods, her mindset translates to how the team will prepare and attack this season.

"My mindset going into this season is to be better than last year and make progress every practice, so it can translate into the game," Woods said.

The freshmen will definitely have a role in the roster this season and make an on-court impact, which they have proven they are ready to do.

"Everyone is driven," Obineke said. "You do not have to teach effort. Everyone expects to win, and they put in the work to obtain the win."

The Pioneers open the 2022-23 season on the road in Colorado, but they will return home next Wednesday, November 16 for their home opener.

When purchasing your ticket to see the Pioneers in KMA, Woods said the fans can always expect fun.

"The fans can expect great team chemistry, high energy, and a team ready to compete against anybody that steps foot in KMA," Woods said.

In KMA and on the road, the Pioneers are ready to represent TWU and show everyone what it means to be a TWU basketball player.

"It means to be a pioneer," Obineke said. "I feel like more than a conqueror. Every season something happens that's unforeseen, and we pioneer. That title really shows what we go through and who we are."