FORT SMITH, Ark. (Feb. 3, 2024) – Behind a career high 25 points from Leila Patel, the Texas Woman's basketball team cruised to a 22-point win over University of Arkansas – Fort Smith on Saturday.
 
TWU (20-3, 14-1) recorded their 20th win of the season against UAFS (8-13, 6-9), marking their third straight season with 20 or more wins.
 
The Pioneers rode a hot shooting performance to the win on Saturday. From the field, TWU shot 48.3% and 42.9% from the three point line – their third highest three point shooting percentage in a game this season.
 
The 80 points scored by the Pioneers also marked the fourth time this season TWU scored 80 or more points in a game this season. The Pioneers currently rank second in the Lone Star Conference in offense, as they average 72.7 points per game.
 
On the offensive side of the ball, Patel led all-scorers with her career high 25 points, going 10-of-16 from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. She also added six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Scout Huffman joined Patel in double figures with 19 points on an efficient 8-of-12 from the floor and perfection from the three and free throw line. Ashley Ingram rounded out the Pioneers in double-digits with 12 points. Ingram also grabbed 10 rebounds to record her 11th double-double of the season.
 
Contributing to the Pioneers' offensive success was their strength in sharing the wealth today. The Pioneers dished out 16 assists over the 40 minutes of action. Ingram led the way with five assists. Jada Celsur and Gionna Carr both added three assists in the win, which marked a season high for Carr.
 
The Pioneers got out to a quick start in the first two quarters of action, scoring 21 or more points in both the first and second quarter. Then, they followed up in the second half with back-to-back 18-point quarters.
 
While TWU was excelling on offense, they also locked down and excelled on defense. In the third quarter of action, the Pioneers held the Lions to just nine points, marking the 13th quarter this season where TWU's opponent scored less than 10 points.
 
To start the game, the first 10 minutes of action went back and forth, until the 2:57 mark on the clock when Patel drained a three pointer. Patel's three started a 12-2 scoring run for the Pioneers, which closed the quarter with TWU ahead by six, 21-15.
 
Following their 12-2 run, TWU opened the second quarter with five unanswered points to find their first double-digit lead of the game at 11 points, 26-15. The Pioneers kept their foot on the gas for the remainder of the second quarter. They would lead by as much as 17 points, 44-27, off a made jumper by Patel with 1:49 left on the clock.
 
After a final basket by the Lions, TWU would head into the locker room for halftime ahead by 15, 44-29.
 
The Pioneers carried their first half momentum into the second half and continue rolling in Fort Smith. Defense was strong in the third quarter and the offense fed off the defensive energy.
 
Patel gave TWU their first 20-point lead of the game at the five minute mark after a made free throw increased the Pioneers' lead to 51-31.
 
Then, Celsur connected on a three pointer to close the third quarter and give TWU their largest lead of the game at 26, 62-36.
 
In the final quarter of action, the Pioneers would push the lead to 30 points on multiple occasions. Their largest lead of the day was 33, which they found three times in the final 10 minutes. The first came off an Ingram three with 7:26 on the clock, 71-38. The second came courtesy of a Huffman layup with 6:54 on the clock, 73-40. Averee Kleinhans would give TWU their final look at their largest lead after a made three with 6:26 on the clock, 76-43.
 
The Pioneers would go on to win the game in decisive and exciting fashion, 80-58.
 
"We were able to translate our energy from offense to defense and vice versa when needed today to stay steady and locked in throughout the entire game," TWU Head Coach Beth Jillson said. We chose our shots well, which helped us have an efficient afternoon offensively. I am so proud of everyone for stepping up today. We wrapped up a great four-game road trip, and we are excited to be back home next week."