DENTON, Texas (Feb. 26, 2022) – On November 27, 2021, the Texas Woman's University basketball team was voted to finish No. 11 in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll. Today, February 26, 2022, TWU clinched the No. 2 seed in the Lone Star Conference with a 72-58 win over the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.
 
In their final regular season game and final game of the season in Kitty Magee Arena, TWU (19-7, 12-3 LSC) defeated UAFS (7-17, 4-10) for the second time this season, by a double-digit margin.
 
"Grit, toughness and pure resilience—those have really been our team descriptors all season," TWU head coach Beth Jillson said. "Our players step up and play hard for 40 minutes every game. We still have work to do moving forward, but I am proud of the way we closed the regular season."
 
Earlier this week, the Pioneers defeated No. 1 Texas A&M University – Commerce to reenter the race for the No. 1 seed in the LSC. After their game was cancelled on Thursday against Oklahoma Christian, the Pioneers sealed the second seed on Saturday. West Texas A&M University, who TWU beat on Jan. 29 by 11 points, won the LSC regular season championship with the highest winning percentage in the LSC.
 
On Saturday against UAFS, the Pioneers continued their streak of starting off strong. In beautiful coincidence, Jada Freeman and Ma'K'La Woods scored the first four points of the game to kick off Senior Day in KMA. TWU closed the first quarter with 22 points.
 
TWU did not miss a beat in the second quarter on the offensive end. Despite allowing the Lions to go on a 7-0 run to end the first half, the Pioneers went into halftime with a 41-32 lead.
 
The third quarter, which the Pioneers have struggled to come out hot in, resulted in the same fate as previous games. TWU only scored 12 points in the third, but their defense continued to lockdown, holding UAFS to just 14 in the third to maintain the lead.
 
Brielle Woods hit a huge 3-pointer with 23 seconds left in the third, which helped the Pioneers reignite their fire in the fourth quarter. Ariyanna Hines hit two threes in the fourth, to go 100% from the field on the game, which helped lead the Pioneers to 19 fourth quarter points. Sadie Moyer also hit seven free throws in the fourth to add to TWU's lead.
 
The pair of seniors, Freeman and Ma'K'La Woods, combined for 19 points. Ma'K'la Woods scored her second highest points of the season, 12, and Freeman scored a season high seven points.
 
Brielle Woods went 4-8 from the 3-point line, her most made-threes of the season and finished with a game high 16 points. Ashley Ingram, who battled in the post, also finished with a game high 16 points and eight rebounds.
 
Sadie Moyer rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Pioneers, finishing with 10 points. On the defense end, Moyer and Brielle Woods led the charge for the Pioneer pressure with three steals each.
 
Following the win, the Pioneers honored their three 2022 seniors: Jada Freeman, Agang Tac and Ma'K'La Woods.
 
"Our seniors set the tone early in the game with a 10-0 run," Jillson said. "Each of them has impacted our program, and we wanted their last game in KMA to be special. Tac, Jada and Ma'K'La always attack practice, games and life with resilience and toughness, which has been instrumental in leading our team. I am so thankful for their commitment and dedication to Pioneer basketball."
 
With the two seed, the Pioneers get a bye next week heading in the LSC Championships. They will play in Frisco, Texas at the Comerica Center on Friday, March 4 at 2:30 p.m.