DENTON, Texas (Jan. 7, 2023) – Records continue to fall for the Texas Woman's basketball team. With their win over St. Edward's Saturday afternoon, the Pioneers gained their 13th win of the season, setting a new program record for best start.
 
TWU (13-1, 8-0) remains undefeated in Lone Star Conference action after their 64-53 win over St. Edward's (7-9, 3-5) in Kitty Magee Arena.
 
The Pioneers' 13th win and one loss on the season set a new program record for best start in program history, breaking the former record of 13-2 set in in the 2015-16 season.
 
Find a way to win seems to be the motto of the Pioneers this season, as they continue to grind out wins down the stretch of games in a tough conference.
 
A slow start plagued the Pioneers in the first quarter, but TWU did not let the stagnant start phase them. In the first quarter, the Pioneers had just three points until the 3:58 mark.
 
After trailing 13-3, TWU went on a 17-4 run to close the quarter leading the Hilltoppers by three, 20-17.
 
Sadie Moyer opened the second quarter with her second three pointer of the game to push the Pioneers lead to five. Then, to answer Moyer, Scout Huffman scored back-to-back baskets to increase the Pioneers' lead to nine points.
 
While the Hilltoppers continued to stay connected, TWU maintained control and fought to control the pace and hold the lead against St. Edward's.
 
A lay-up by Ashley Ingram closed the half, giving the Pioneers a four-point advantage headed into the locker room.
 
After halftime, Moyer continued her trend of opening quarters, scoring a jumper in the first minute of the third quarter.
 
Following Moyer's bucket, both teams went on a four-minute scoring drought. As the Pioneers struggled to score on offense, they locked in on defense and held the Hilltoppers scoreless as well.
 
Ariyanna Hines broke TWU's scoring drought with two made free throws, giving the Pioneers a four-point lead. Then, Jordan Jackson drained a three pointer to elevate TWU to an eight-point advantage with 1:51 remaining in the third.
 
To close the quarter, Ngozi Obineke connected on two free throws, and TWU began the final quarter of action with a nine-point cushion over the Hilltoppers.
 
As she had done the previous two quarters, Moyer ignited the offense with the first bucket of the fourth quarter, crushing a three to put the Pioneers up by 10, 59-49.
 
After a two-point shot by St. Edward's to cut the lead to eight, Ingram hit two free throws to push the Pioneers' lead back up to 10 with 7:46 remaining in the game. Following Ingram's free throws, TWU maintained a double-digit lead for the remaining seven minutes of action.
 
A three pointer by Brielle Woods extended the Pioneers' lead to 16, their largest lead of the game. Ingram then closed the game with two-made free throws to send the Hilltoppers home with their fifth loss in LSC action and give the Pioneers their eighth win.
 
The Pioneers remain one of two undefeated teams in the LSC, as UT Tyler defeated St. Mary's today, 42-40, to also improve to 8-0.
 
Moyer led the Pioneers with 19 points in the game, igniting the Pioneers' offense throughout the night. Dominating the paint, Ingram recorded her third double-double of the season, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
 
On the boards, Obineke aided the Pioneers on their way to 40 rebounds, by grabbing nine.
 
Woods led TWU on defense with a season-high four steals, as the Pioneers forced the Hilltoppers to commit 15 turnovers.
 
TWU finished the game with 11 assists. Moyer led with three, and Ingram, Woods and Jackson all recorded two.
 
The Pioneers will go back on the road next week for more LSC action. They will face Texas A&M – Kingsville on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m.
 
Coach Beth Jillson shares her thoughts about the Pioneers win here.