SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 4, 2023) – The Texas Woman's basketball team extended their winning streak to 18 consecutive wins on Saturday afternoon on the road against St. Mary's.

TWU (20-1, 15-0) defeated STMU (7-15, 3-13), 52-45, to remain undefeated in conference action and undefeated on the road. The win for the Pioneers in San Antonio marked the first win for TWU in San Antonio against the Rattlers since the 1995-96 season. 

The Rattlers' 45 points marks the lowest number of points by a TWU opponent this season.

Despite starting the game slow on offense, the Pioneers ramped up the defensive pressure in the first quarter. TWU held the Rattlers to just eight points in the opening quarter, marking the 10th time the Pioneers have held their opponent to less than 10 points in a quarter.

Heading into the second quarter with a 13-8 advantage, the Pioneers rode a three-minute scoring drought and fell behind by one point.

Jada Celsur ended the drought with a jumper in the paint to reclaim the lead for the Pioneers, 15-14. Then, 30 seconds later, Sadie Moyer extended the Pioneers' lead to two off a made free throw.

In the final four minutes of the half, the Pioneers scored six points off of free throws. Brielle Woods made the final two free throws for the Pioneers with 11 seconds on the clock to send the Pioneers into the locker room with a two-point lead, 22-20.

TWU rode their highest quarter of scoring in the third quarter, outscoring the Rattlers 19-12.

Just as they ended the second quarter, TWU opened the third with free throws, two made by Ashley Ingram. Then, less than one minute later, Ingram hit two more free throws to extend the Pioneers' lead to six with 8:33 on the clock.

Scout Huffman ignited the Pioneers' offense, hitting TWU's first field goal of the quarter at the 6:59 mark to give TWU a six-point lead. The Pioneers continued rolling with two made free throws from Ngozi Obineke and a jumper by Moyer to hold a seven-point lead over the Rattlers with five minutes left in the third.

TWU rode their scoring high late into the third quarter. Two made buckets by Celsur gave the Pioneers their first double-digit lead of the night at 10 with two minutes remaining in the third.

An and-one to close the quarter by Ingram not only gave the Pioneers an 11-point lead, but it sent the Pioneers bench soaring with cheers and built the momentum heading into the final quarter of action.

In the final quarter of action, Moyer gave the Pioneers their largest lead of the game at 12 points with five minutes remaining. Then, after free throws and a basket by the Rattlers, a jumper by Jordan Jackson increased the TWU lead back up to 10 with two minutes left in the game.

Then, TWU defended a 6-3 run by the Rattlers to close the game with the win. Two made free throws by Woods sealed the 20th win of the season for the Pioneers, 52-45.

Ingram was the lone Pioneer in double-digits today with 13. Obineke and Woods both topped the leader board on offense with eight points each.

As TWU won the rebounding battle 41-31, Ingram and Obineke controlled the boards with seven each.

Ingram also led the Pioneers' in distribution with two assists, while Woods led the Pioneers on defense with three steals and five rebounds.

"After a back-and-forth week with winter weather, I am proud of how our team fought for the win today," TWU Head Coach Beth Jillson said. In a tough Lone Star Conference, it is always difficult to get games on the road, and I am proud of how we showed up down the stretch and defended well to secure the win."

TWU will be back in action on Monday at 1 p.m. against St. Edward's in Austin, Texas.