LUBBOCK, Texas (Jan. 27, 2024) – For the first time in program history, the Texas Woman's basketball team defeated Lubbock Christian in Lubbock, Texas.

TWU (18-3, 12-1) recorded their fourth win over a Top 25 team, as they beat No. 20 LCU (14-5, 9-3) for their third win all-time over the Lady Chaps and first in Lubbock.

After starting slow in their last game, the Pioneers turned the tides quickly on Saturday and started out with their most points of any quarter of the game in the first 10 minutes of action with 25 points. It marked the most points of the season by TWU in the first quarter since their win on Jan. 4 over UAFS.

While LCU responded in the second with a 20+ quarter of their own, TWU won the third and fourth quarters to claim the win over the Lady Chaps, 76-64. The 12-point win not only marks the Pioneers eighth straight win, but all eight of those wins have been by 10 or more points.

TWU has 18 total wins on the season and 12 in Lone Star Conference play. Currently, the Pioneers are tied with UT Tyler for the best overall record in the LSC, after UT Tyler's loss to West Texas A&M on Saturday.

Four Pioneers scored in double digits in the win. Averee Kleinhans led the offensive efforts for TWU with 20 points on 5-of-8 from the field, 2-of-4 from the three and 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Ashley Ingram also displayed an efficient performance for TWU, finishing with 18 points on 7-of-11 from the field. The pair of Leila Patel and Scout Huffman both went 6-of-9. Patel added a three to her stat line to finish with 13 points, and Huffman scored 12.

For the third straight game, the Pioneers won the rebounding battle, 31-28. Ingram led the battle on the boards with a game high nine rebounds. Patel and Huffman both added five, while Kleinhans and Jada Celsur each grabbed four for TWU.

Ingram and Ariyanna Hines were the sharing the wealth leaders on the offensive end, as they both led TWU with three assists each.

As a team, the Pioneers rank first in the LSC in field goal percentage, averaging 45.2% from the field per game. In their win against LCU, TWU shot 54.7% from the field, marking the eighth time this season TWU has shot 50% or higher from the field. TWU also shot their third highest percentage of the season from the three point line, finishing the game 41.7% from beyond the arc. Celsur and Kleinhans led the three point shooting with two each.

While TWU shot well from beyond the arc, their true success came in the painted area where they scored almost twice the number of points compared to the Lady Chaps. TWU scored 44 points in the paint on Saturday, while LCU scored just 24.

The 76 points from the Pioneers marked the second most points scored by an LCU opponent this season and most by a LSC opponent this season.

On the defensive end, the Pioneers forced the Lady Chaps to turn the ball over 12 times and translated those turnovers into 20 points. Kleinhans and Ingram led the defense of TWU with two steals each.

Throughout the game, the score was tied three times, but the Pioneers never trailed.

TWU would find their first double digit lead of the game in the first quarter at the four minute mark off a three pointer by Kleinhans, 16-6. Kleinhans would connect on two free throws to send the Pioneers into the second quarter with an 11-point lead, 25-14.

TWU would lead by as much as 13 in the second quarter, but LCU mounted a late 10-2 run to cut the Pioneers' lead to four heading into halftime, 41-37.

Patel opened the scoring in the third with a jump shot at the nine minute mark to push the Pioneers back up by six, 43-67. While the score was tied once in the third, the Pioneers never lost their composure and continued to play their game to maintain the lead.

A jumper by Celsur and a layup by Caroline Glud Rasmussen in the final 30 seconds of the quarter would send the Pioneers into the final quarter of action ahead by five, 58-53.

LCU opened the fourth quarter with a 7-2 run to tie the game at 60 each, but the Pioneers stepped on the gas and reignited their energy. After the tie at the 6:46 mark, TWU would lead for the remainder of the game.

The Pioneers locked down on defense in the final six minutes and found their rhythm on offense, going on a 16-4 to close the game with the win.

"We are excited to be heading home with two great wins on the road this week," TWU Head Coach Beth Jillson said. "I am proud of our players for staying composed throughout the game. Our bench was huge for us tonight with 22 points, along with our starters who set the tone well for us in the first. We look forward to more great road trip opportunities next week."

TWU continues LSC action next Thursday, Feb. 1 against Oklahoma Christian in Oklahoma City at 5:30 p.m.