DENTON, Texas (March 19, 2024) – For the first time in program history, the Texas Woman's basketball team are South Central Regional Champions and punched their ticket to the 2024 NCAA Division II Elite Eight.

With a record-breaking crowd rocking Kitty Magee Arena, the Pioneers made history on Monday night on their home court with their 65-51 victory over UT Tyler (27-9). 

The moment sealed in history stood as a testament to the family, selflessness and resilience of this team.

TWU (32-4) stepped on the court with the championship mentality. They started off the with a 12-3 run to open the first quarter with a 24-10 lead to claim the South Central Regional Championship Title.

The Pioneers will advance to the Elite Eight, which will be held in St. Joseph, Missouri, beginning March 25.

Ashley Ingram, who was named the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Tournament's Most Valuable Player, led the Pioneers in the win with 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Joining Ingram in double digits was Patel with 13 points, and Scout Huffman added 11 points in the win.

After opening the first quarter shooting 64.29% from the field, the Pioneers closed the game shooting 44.4% from the field. Led by Ingram, TWU finished with 36 points in the paint – 10 more than the Patriots.

The Pioneers never trailed, and the game was never tied, as TWU recorded the wire-to-wire win in the championship game.

On the way to their 65 points, the Pioneers shared the wealth, recording 20 assists – their fifth game this season with 20 or more assists in a game. Ingram led with seven assists. Jada Celsur and Patel both recorded three assists.

TWU out-rebounded the Patriots in the win, 43-33. Averee Kleinhans topped the Pioneer leader board with eight rebounds, while Ingram and Celsur both added seven rebounds in the win.

The Pioneers started off the game on a heater, shooting 64.29% from the field and 60% from the three point line. Not only was their offense on fire, but they were locked in on defense. TWU held UT Tyler to just 3-of-15 from the field in the first quarter, 2-of-8 from the three and 2-of-4 from the free throw line. On the game, the Pioneers held the Patriots to 32.8% on the game and just 17.9% from the three point line.

After establishing a solid lead in the first quarter, the Pioneers withstood every attempt at a run by the Patriots.

In the first quarter alone, a three pointer by Huffman with 11 seconds on the clock would give the Pioneers a 17-point lead.

Then, in the second quarter, TWU would find their first 20-point lead of the night after two made free throws by Celsur with 8:24 on the clock, which would be their largest lead of the night.

In the second quarter, with 3:29 on the clock, the Patriots would come within nine points, but a jumper by Celsur would push the Pioneers' lead back up to 13. Following that, TWU would always lead by double digits.

During the final quarter of action, TWU held UT Tyler to just nine points -- marking the 21st quarter this season the Pioneers have held their opponent to less than 10 points in a quarter.

The crowd all on their feet, the chants of T-W-U, the moment sealed in history forever.

"THE TEXAS WOMAN'S PIONEERS ARE THE SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONS AND HAVE PUNCHED THEIR TICKET TO THE ELITE EIGHT!"

Following the game, Jada Celsur and Leila Patel were named to the South Central Regional All-Tournament Team, and Ingram was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player.

Hear from Leila Patel, Ashley Ingram and Head Coach Beth Jillson in the post game press conference following the Pioneers' win.