ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (March 27, 2024) – Pioneer: verb – to be the first.

The Texas Woman's basketball team has embodied the true essence of a pioneer all season. They have broken records. They have made history. They have empowered each other and others. They have been the first.

• First in program history to host the Division II South Central Regional Tournament
• First in program history to win the Division II South Central Regional Tournament
• First in program history to break 30-plus wins in a season
• First LSC Player of the Year  
• First WBCA First Team All-American
• First D2CCA South Central Regional Player of the Year
• First Three-time LSC Coach of the Year
• First to make a Sweet Sixteen, an Elite Eight and a Final Four

After defeating Ferris State on Wednesday night, the Pioneers made history once again, as they will play in the Division II National Championship game for the first time in program history.

TWU (33-4) defeated the three seed Ferris State (26-6) in the Final Four, 68-52, to advance to the title game on Friday night. The Pioneers will meet a familiar foe in Minnesota State, Mankato in the National Championship game, after the Mavericks defeated Cal State San Marcos on Wednesday night, 70-68.

Similar to their Elite Eight game on Monday, the Pioneers started the game on mission, endured a third quarter run by the Bulldogs, and went on to claim the 16-point victory.

Scout Huffman led TWU with 18 points on the offensive end, and Jada Celsur and Ashley Ingram joined Huffman in double-digits, as Celsur added 14 points and Ingram finished with 13 points.

TWU kept the Bulldogs off the boards in the win, out-rebounding FSU 32-27. Ingram led the Pioneers battle on the board with 10 rebounds, recording her 19th double-double of the season. Patel matched her career high rebounds with seven, and Huffman finished with six.

In their favorite state category – assists, the Pioneers finished with 11. Patel dished out three assists, while Ingram, Huffman and Averee Kleinhans all recorded two assists.

A huge difference on the offensive end for the Pioneers was their ability to score in the paint. TWU scored 34 points in the paint to FSU's 24.

Additionally, the Pioneers once again got to the free throw line at a high rate, which helped lead to the win. TWU shot 21 free throws and hit 20 of them to have the advantage at the charity stripe over FSU.

The Pioneers locked down defensively against the Bulldogs, which translated into great energy on offense. They only committed eight fouls on the night, grabbed nine steals and forced the Bulldogs to turn over the ball 11 times. They held FSU to shooting just 34.5% from the field and 22.2% from beyond the arc.

FSU had a defensive run and forced TWU to turn the ball over 15 times for 20 points, but the Pioneers remained composed – a trait that is built on the trust of the team – which leads them to wins.

To start the Final Four, the two teams traded baskets for a tight first quarter. Nevertheless, a late run by the Pioneers would give them the lead and momentum.

At the 4:44 mark of the first quarter, Celsur knocked down a three to cut FSU's lead to just one, 13-12, and ignite a 9-0 run for TWU.

After Celsur's three, Huffman, who recorded another great start for the Pioneers, hit back-to-back layups and knocked down two free throws over the 9-0 run to give TWU their first lead of the night, 18-13. 

Two made free throws by Ingram would close the first quarter and send the Pioneers into the second quarter ahead by nine, 25-16.

Then, the second quarter was all TWU, as they broke the lead open. In the second quarter, the Pioneers shot 46.15% from the field to outscore the Bulldogs, 14-6. It marked the 23rd quarter this season the Pioneers have held their opponent to less than 10 points in a quarter.

As the Pioneer faithful chanted T-DUB and defense, TWU responded on the court with a lot of energy.

At the 6:58 mark of the third, Caroline Glud Rasmussen would give TWU their first double-digit lead of the game at 10, 30-20, after beating the shot clock with a triple.

While TWU continued to score, they would hold Ferris State scoreless for six minutes of the second quarter. Huffman would give TWU their largest lead of the day for the second time in the quarter at 17, 39-22, off a layup with the assist from Kleinhans to send the Pioneers into the halftime break feeling strong.

They knew they would have to withstand a run from the Bulldogs, and that run came in the third quarter. With 2:27 on the clock, FSU cut the lead to eight points, 48-40, but TWU never got nervous. They reorganized, locked in and quickly ended the quarter on a 6-0 run to head into the final quarter of action ahead by 14, 54-40.

TWU maintained the pressure in the fourth and kept the lead locked at double-digits with good shot selection and great defense. Two made free throws by Patel would give the Pioneers their largest lead of the night at 21, 68-47, with 2:34 left in the game.

TWU and FSU would both make substitutions, and the Pioneers would claim the victory, 68-52.

It marked the 26th double-digit lead of the season for TWU. The Pioneers will play one final game of the 2023-24 season, as it all comes down to this – the National Championship game on March 29 at 7 p.m. against Minnesota State, Mankato.

Hear from Coach Beth Jillson, Scout Huffman and Jada Celsur after the game: https://youtu.be/S-XMwxpTvfg.