LAREDO, Texas (Jan. 14, 2023) – For the first time in program history, the Texas Woman's basketball team defeated Texas A&M International in Laredo, Texas.
 
TWU (15-1, 10-0) defeated TAMIU (11-7, 4-6) on the road on Saturday afternoon, 66-60.
 
Senior Sadie Moyer recorded a career day against the Dustdevils. In the win, Moyer scored a career-high 34 points, surpassing her previous mark of 30 points on Feb. 19, 2022 against Texas A&M – Kingsville. Moyer, on her way to 34 points, connected on a career-high seven three pointers and a career-high 12 made field goals. She shot 52% from the field and 46.6% from the three point line.
 
Moyer's 34 points guided the Pioneers to their 15th win of the season and 13th consecutive win, increasing their program high and extending their records. On Thursday night with their win against Kingsville, the Pioneers broke the record for most consecutive wins, previously 11 set during the 2015-16 season.
 
Behind Moyer's explosive seven threes, the Pioneers hit 11 threes in the game, a team season-high.
 
TWU managed to secure the win in Laredo, despite sustaining a strong effort from the Dustdevils. The Pioneers survived a slow start, trailing after the first quarter 17-14.
 
Although they scored just 12 points in the second quarter, the Pioneers played solid defense, which allowed them to stay connected in the game. For the eighth time this season, TWU held their opponent to a quarter with 10 points or less, giving up just nine points to the Dustdevils in the second quarter.
 
The Pioneers entered halftime knotted at 26 points with the Dustdevils, after two made free throws from Ngozi Obineke.
 
Out of the halftime break, TWU reignited their energy, as the second half proved to be the difference maker once again for the Pioneers.
 
Moyer quickly changed the tides in the third quarter, connecting on a three to give TWU a one-point lead, 29-28.
 
Following Moyer's three, both teams went on a three-minute scoreless drought, which was broken by another made three pointer by Moyer, who electrified the TWU bench. Less than a minute later, Moyer continued her magic and drained another triple to give the Pioneers a six-point advantage.
 
After a slight drought on offense for TWU, the three point energy was quite literally passed on. With 1:51 on the clock in the third quarter, Jordan Jackson connected on three, assisted by Moyer.
 
With one second left on the clock, Moyer hit a jumper to give the Pioneers a three-point lead over TAMIU heading into the final quarter of action.
 
To open the fourth, Moyer tested the heat of her shooting stroke and found it to still be blazing. She ignited the Pioneers offense in the fourth with a made three. Then, Ariyanna Hines caught the energy and hit a three to give TWU a nine-point advantage.
 
Scout Huffman gave the Pioneers their largest lead of the game at 10 after she connected on a huge three pointer.
 
Following Huffman's three, TWU endured a three-minute scoreless drought, during which TAMIU took a one-point lead, 55-54.
 
Needing a basket, the Pioneers went to the spark of the night, Moyer, who came up with a clutch three to put TWU back up by two points.
 
Jada Celsur answered the call next and crushed a three to increase the lead to five, 60-55, with 1:51 left on the clock.
 
Still alive, the Dustdevils cut the Pioneers' lead to three with 18 seconds left in the game. Then, TAMIU entered the foul game to extend the clock, but two made-free throws by Moyer and a block by Ashley Ingram helped seal the game for TWU.
 
Hines connected on the final free throw for the Pioneers with two seconds left to put the exclamation point on the six-point win, 66-60.
 
Ingram was the other lone Pioneer to score in double digits, as she finished the game with 11 points and grabbed six rebounds.
 
On their way to 34 rebounds as a team, Moyer added six, Huffman grabbed six and Hines ended with five boards.
 
Brielle Woods guided the Pioneers in offensive distribution with a season-high five assists.
 
On defense, Ingram tied her career-high in blocks with two, and Obineke added a season-high two blocks. The Pioneers as a team also locked down and limited the offensive production of the Dustdevils, holding them to 38.1% from the field and 31% from the three.
 
"Despite our slow start, we fought to stay connected and win on the road," TWU Head Coach Beth Jillson said. "I am so proud of Sadie and the work she continues to put in this season. She missed the first few shots this afternoon and then continued shooting, which led to her incredible performance. Then, Scout, Ariyanna, Jordan and Jada connected on big shots as well to help guide us to a great team win."
 
The Pioneers will return home to Denton for their next conference contest. They will meet No. 20 West Texas A&M on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. in Kitty Magee Arena.