DENTON, Texas (Nov. 30, 2022) – The Texas Woman's basketball team started their Lone Star Conference schedule in glorious, high-scoring fashion tonight in Kitty Magee Arena, defeating Midwestern State 71-51.
 
TWU (6-1, 1-0) never took their foot of the gas. They won every quarter and lead by as much as 25 in the game to start conference play undefeated.
 
Defense continued to shine for the Pioneers tonight—it was the fuel for their offensive scoring runs down the stretch. Midwestern State (1-5, 0-1) turned the ball over 17 times in the game for 19 TWU points. Additionally, for the fifth time this season, the Pioneers held their opponent to less than 10 points in a quarter, as the Mustangs scored just nine in the second quarter.
 
The Pioneers excelled to win by 20 points tonight, but it did take the first quarter to find their footing before going on their big, explosive offensive push.
 
The Mustangs saw their only lead of the night in the first quarter. With four minutes left in quarter, MSU lead for their final time in the game by two points. Their lead was short lived however, as Scout Huffman drained a three pointer off a dynamic pass from Ariyanna Hines to give the Pioneers a one-point lead. The Pioneers would ride the arc of that shot for the rest of the game, as they never trailed again.
 
TWU began to open the offense up and play smoother in the second quarter. Ashley Ingram started the quarter off with four straight points, hitting two free throws and a layup, to ignite the scoring for the Pioneers.
 
Brielle Woods, who finished the game with a season high 13 points, scored six of her 13 in the second quarter alone.
 
Sadie Moyer ushered the Pioneers into their largest lead of the first half at 12 points after she made two free throws with 1:42 left in the half.
 
The Mustangs hit two free throws to close the second quarter, so TWU went into halftime ahead by 10 points.
 
Following the break, TWU worked to increase the gap between MSU. Moyer opened the scoring in the second half with a jumper in the paint. Jada Celsur, who got her first career start tonight, followed Moyer's example and hit a two to put the Pioneers up by 13 points.
 
The third quarter saw diverse scoring threats make a difference for the Pioneers. Hines scored a jumper and a free throw to push the TWU led to 15. Woods aided in giving the Pioneers their largest lead of the quarter at 17 after she hit a two-pointer.
 
The lead dipped back to 15 after a Mustangs' basket, but Jordan Jackson hit a perfectly timed Euro step to put the Pioneers back up by 17.
 
As the Pioneers headed into the final quarter in KMA, they remained in confident control. To open the quarter, TWU scored eight unanswered points, including baskets by Moyer, Huffman, Ingram and Ngozi Obineke. Obineke's lay-up pushed the Pioneers' lead to 21 with six minutes left in the game.
 
Three minutes later, Obineke grabbed an offensive rebound, put the shot back up, made the second chance point and was fouled. After successfully completing the and-one opportunity, Obineke gave the Pioneers their largest lead of the night at 25 points.
 
The Pioneers would ride their momentum out to successfully win their first Lone Star Conference game by 20 points.
 
Ingram, who continues to be an unstoppable threat at the post position, led TWU with 17 points and 10 rebounds, recording her first double-double of the season.
 
Leading the Pioneers defensive effort, Woods strength does not always show up in numbers, but she shut down the Mustangs' guards and also grabbed six rebounds and two steals to go along with her 13 points.
 
Moyer, who went a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line, added 12 points in the win.
 
Proving to be a difference maker this year, Obineke narrowly missed recording a double-double as well. She finished the game with nine points and a truly impactful 11 rebounds, six of which were offensive boards.
 
Additionally, Hines finished the game with a season high five points.
 
On the boards as a team, the Pioneers dominated the rebounding battle, grabbing 47 to the Mustangs' 33. Additionally, TWU matched their season high in offensive rebounds, grabbing 15 as a team. The Pioneers also scored 38 points in the paint.
 
"We are thrilled to start off conference play with a win at home," TWU Head Coach Beth Jillson said. "The stats really show improvement in the areas we worked on excelling at this week, particularly the rebound column and the forced turnovers. Forcing turnovers on the defensive end and doing the work on the boards shows this teams' heart to do every little thing it takes to be successful night in and night out."
 
The Pioneers will be back home on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. as they continue their home LSC slate against Cameron. The Pioneers will be celebrating the holiday season on Saturday, so make sure to wear your favorite Christmas sweater!