COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 15, 2025) – The Texas Woman's basketball departs the Mile High State to lower elevations, but higher spirits after topping the UCCS Mountain Lions in Colorado Springs tonight, 80-69.

TWU (3-1) saw the most success in the paint, scoring 32 points in this area. With UCCS (1-1) committing 25 fouls in the game as well, TWU had plenty of free throw opportunities, making 38 of their 45 attempts.

In dealing the Mountain Lions their first loss in 2025-26, TWU returns home with their first win streak on the young season.

The Pioneers came out strong in the first quarter, outsourcing the Mountain Lions, 22-9. It marks the third quarter of the season in which TWU has held their opponent to less than 10 points. Throughout the game, TWU stayed composed and held off multiple runs by UCCS, including a 27-point second quarter. Nevertheless, TWU's poise and experience proved to be the difference maker, as the Pioneers scored 26 points in the final quarter of action to clinch their second Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference win of the season. 

IMPACT PLAYERS

• Now for back-to-back games, Gabby Elliott led the Pioneers in points with 24. Elliott also completed 12-of-14 free throws, and added 11 rebounds, eight on defense. It marked Elliott's first double-double of the season and another career high performance, as she topped her career high mark of 23 set the night before. 
• Jada Celsur followed closely with 20 points on the night, as well as going a perfect 10-for-10 at the free throw line. She also added one block and one steal defensively. The 10 free throws were Celsur's most in a game in her career, as she matched her career high of 20 points. 
• Averee Kleinhans rounded out TWU's double-digit scorers with 14 points, adding six rebounds as well as a block and steal.

PIONEER POWER MOMENTS

• Points off turnovers remained key to the Pioneers success, tallying 24 off the Mountain Lions 19 turnovers. TWU remains undefeated when outscoring the opposition in this category.
• The Mountain Lions jumped out to a quick start, sinking a three for the first basket of the game 11 seconds into the opening period. This lead would be short-lived, however, as the Pioneers responded with a 7-0 run to bring their lead to 7-3 at less than five minutes in. Once TWU gained the lead, they would remain on top until the game's final buzzer.
• With 2:26 on the clock in the first quarter, a dish from Elliott to Celsur for a good layup gave TWU their first double-digit lead of the game, 16-6. Celsur had the final four points of the first quarter off two free throws and a buzzer-beating layup to send TWU into the second quarter with a strong lead, 22-9. 
• Despite being outscored 27-1 in the second quarter, TWU remained focused on their game plan. UCCS would open the quarter with a 7-0 run, which Madi Lumsden broke with a layup to keep TWU ahead by eight, 24-16, with 8:15 on the clock. 
• With one minute remaining in the half, Jordyn Hernandez connected on two free throws, as TWU led 37-31. The Mountain Lions would score five straight to close the second quarter and cut the Pioneers lead to one, 37-36. 
• The Pioneers hung on to a one-point lead at the half, 37-36, setting up a dramatic second half. UCCS came within one point of tying the game twice in the first three minutes of the third period, but TWU kept the opponent at bay. Elliott ignited a 4-0 run for the Pioneers to increase their lead back to five, 45-40, with 5:58 left in the quarter. 
• A jumper by Jordyn Hernandez gave the Pioneers their largest lead of the third quarter at six, 54-48, with 1:22 remaining in the third. After two free throws to end the quarter by UCCS, TWU would enter the fourth quarter with a three-point advantage, 54-51. 
• The fourth quarter proved to be a final 10-minute battle, as the Mountain Lions came within one point of a tie game three times in the fourth period. TWU once again scored the next basket each time to retain the lead. Four straight free throws by Celsur to bring the score to 70-58 with four minutes to go secured the win, as UCCS struggled to keep the game within single-digits by this point. Elliott also connected on four straight free throws with 45 seconds remaining to cement the double-digit win for TWU, 80-69. 

NEXT UP

The Pioneers are back in action at home in Kitty Magee Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19 against Southern Nazarene, with tip off scheduled for 6 p.m. The Pioneers will be celebrating banner reveal night, the Dean's Cup and Veteran's Recognition.