Basketball | 3/4/2026 10:34:00 PM
FRISCO, Texas (March 4, 2026) - The Lone Star Conference honors continued to roll in for the No. 1 Texas Woman's basketball team Wednesday night at the 2026 LSC Championship Banquet, as senior forward Gabby Elliott headlined a historic season for the Pioneers.
After securing their fourth consecutive LSC Regular Season Championship with a perfect 20-0 conference record, five Pioneers were recognized at the annual postseason banquet held at Main Event ahead of the LSC Basketball Championship at Comerica Center.
Following the team trophy presentation, the conference announced their yearly individual awards, voted on by the league's head coaches.
Elliott was named the 2025–26 LSC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, becoming just the second Pioneer in program history to earn LSC Player of the Year honors and the first to sweep all three major LSC individual awards in the same season.
The senior led the Pioneers to a No. 1 national ranking and a 25 game winning streak entering postseason play. Elliott averaged 16.6 points on 54.1 percent shooting, a league best 11.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. She recorded 15 double-doubles and led the LSC with 187 defensive rebounds.
Elliott closed conference play in dominant fashion, earning her fifth Offensive Player of the Week award of the season, the most by any player in the league this year. She became the only player in the LSC with five Offensive Player of the Week honors in 2025-26 and now owns nine career weekly awards. She posted nine 20-point games this season and recorded double-doubles in seven of her final eight regular-season contests.
In addition to her on court accolades, Elliott earned the LSC Academic Player of the Year award and was named to the All-LSC Academic Team. A Kinesiology major, she maintains a 3.9 GPA while excelling on the court, continuing TWU's tradition of student-athletes who succeed both in athletics and the classroom.
In addition to her major awards, Elliott was named First Team All-LSC and earned a spot on the LSC All-Defensive Team.
"For Gabby to be recognized as Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Academic Player of the Year speaks volumes about her commitment to excellence in every area of her life," said Head Coach Beth Jillson. "She is a relentless worker, incredibly resilient, and a fierce competitor. What makes me most proud is her growth - not just as a player, but as a leader and person. She is so deserving of these honors."
Joining Elliott among the league's top honors was head coach Beth Jillson, who was voted the LSC Noel Johnson Coach of the Year for the fourth time in her career after guiding the Pioneers to their fourth straight regular-season title.
Jillson led TWU to a perfect 20-0 conference record and a 25 game overall winning streak entering the postseason. The Pioneers remained No. 1 in the latest WBCA National Poll for the second consecutive week and have held steady atop the national rankings during their dominant campaign.
Under Jillson's leadership, TWU ranks first in the conference in field goal percentage (44.7%) and free throw percentage (77.3%). The Pioneers also rank second in the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 54.3 points per game.
"This award is truly a reflection of the people I get to surround myself with every day - incredible players and an amazing staff whose commitment and belief make everything possible," said Jillson. "It's especially meaningful to receive an award named after Noel Johnson. She impacted this profession in such a powerful way and was someone I was blessed to call a friend. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead this program and be part of something so special."
Overall, five Pioneers earned All-LSC honors this season.
Senior guard Averee Kleinhans was named First Team All-LSC after earning three LSC Offensive Player of the Week honors this season. In 21 games, she averaged 17.2 points per game, third in the LSC, along with 6.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals per game, 45.2 percent shooting from the field, 1.6 three-pointers per game and 81.7 percent from the free throw line.
Senior guard Jada Celsur earned Second Team All-LSC honors. In 26 games, she averaged 9.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 38 percent from the field, 28 percent from three-point range and 76.1 percent from the free throw line.
Junior guard Madi Lumsden was named Third Team All-LSC after averaging 10.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1 steal per game in 27 contests. She shot 45.8 percent from the field, 34.9 percent from three, and 78.6 percent from the free throw line.
Graduate guard Kayla Glover received Honorable Mention All-LSC recognition. In 23 games, she averaged 5.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1 steal per game, shooting 47.1 percent from the field, 20 percent from three-point range and 82.4 percent from the free throw line.
"What an incredible honor to have five players recognized on the All-LSC team," said Jillson. "It's such a reflection of Pioneer culture - unselfish, connected, and committed to something bigger than themselves. Our success comes from different players stepping up in different moments, and this recognition reflects the strength of our entire program."
The Pioneers enter the LSC Championship at Comerica Center as the tournament's No. 1 seed, aiming to continue their undefeated conference season and extend their 25 game winning streak. They will face the eighth seeded UT Permian Basin in the first round on Friday, March 6, at 6 p.m.
-PIONEERS-
