HISTORY! TWU RANKED ON WBCA TOP 25 POLL FOR FIRST TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY
History-making and the Texas Woman's basketball team go hand-in-hand.
On Tuesday, Dec. 6, TWU debuted on the Women's Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll for the first time in program history at No. 25.
The WBCA Poll releases weekly Top 25 Polls, voted on by Division II Coaches. The poll has been in existence since the 1996-97 season.
Prior to this season, TWU had appeared in the receiving votes column of the poll at least one week in five separate seasons, not including 2022. This season, the Pioneers have received votes in all three prior polls.
In addition to debuting on the WBCA Poll, the Pioneers also jumped from No. 18 to No. 13 on the D2SIDA Poll, where they have been ranked the past three weeks. The No. 13 ranking marks the highest ranking in the D2SIDA Poll in program history. Prior to the 2022 season, the Pioneers appeared on the poll in 2016 at No. 23.
TWU also remained at No. 2 in the D2SIDA South Central Regional Poll, just behind undefeated West Texas A&M.
Three Lone Star Conference programs are represented on the D2SIDA Poll – Angelo State debuted this week at No. 20 and West Texas A&M remained at the top at No. 4. In the WBCA Poll, West Texas A&M was represented at No. 2, and Angelo State was receiving votes.
In their opening week of conference action, TWU defeated Midwestern State and Cameron by 20-point margins. The Pioneers are now 7-1 on the season and 2-0 in conference action.
On the Lone Star Conference leader board, TWU ranks fifth in defense, holding their opponents to an average of 61.1 points. The Pioneers also rank fifth in offensive rebounds, averaging 12.5 per game. Ngozi Obineke ranks No. 9 in rebounding the conference, as Obineke averages 7.3 boards per game.
"Last week, we emphasized sharing the ball, which was reflected in our stats the past two games," TWU Head Coach Beth Jillson said. "I think the ranking personifies our emphasis on sharing last week. When we are all working together, lifting each other up, feeding the player who's open and sharing in the wealth, we all win together. I am proud of the work this team has put in and continues to put in. We are looking forward to improving over our short break."
The Pioneers are off this week, but they will return to action Dec. 17 on the road at Eastern New Mexico at 3 p.m. CST.
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