NO. 3/4 TWU RIDES 27-POINT THIRD QUARTER TO A 19-POINT VICTORY OVER ST. EDWARD'S

NO. 3/4 TWU RIDES 27-POINT THIRD QUARTER TO A 19-POINT VICTORY OVER ST. EDWARD'S | https://twuathletics.com/

By Press release submission

Feb 8, 2023

NO. 3/4 TWU RIDES 27-POINT THIRD QUARTER TO A 19-POINT VICTORY OVER ST. EDWARD'S

For the first time since 2009, the Texas Woman's basketball team are leaving Austin, Texas with a win.

TWU (21-1, 16-0) defeated St. Edward's (11-13, 7-9) by a 19-point margin, 70-51, on Monday afternoon to secure their 21st win of the season and remain the lone undefeated team in the Lone Star Conference.

Despite recording a close first quarter, where the Pioneers led 18-15, TWU quickly arose and found their defensive stride in the second quarter of the game.

In the second quarter of action, TWU held the Hilltoppers to just nine points, marking the 11th time this season the Pioneers have held their opponent to less than 10 points in a quarter.

Defense spoke loudly for TWU in the opening half of action, as they held St. Edward's to under 30 points in two quarters.

The Pioneers opened the first quarter with 18 points on 43.8% shooting from the field. Then, the Pioneers held the Hilltoppers' low on offense, as they themselves recorded their lowest quarter of offensive production in the second quarter, scoring 14 points.

Nevertheless, TWU ended the first half strong, on a 4-2 run. Layups from Jada Celsur and Ashley Ingram ushered TWU into halftime with a 32-24 advantage.

The third quarter proved to be the electrifying difference making 10 minutes for the Pioneers. TWU exploded for 27 points in the quarter, marking back-to-back games the Hilltoppers have given up 27 points in a quarter to their opponent.

Ariyanna Hines set the tone 15 seconds into the third for the Pioneers with a made layup on an assist from Ashley Ingram, and Hines responded by scoring another basket for the Pioneers less than a minute later to give the Pioneers a 36-25 lead.

Then, Sadie Moyer caught fire. After going scoreless in the opening half, Moyer knocked down a three with 7:14 on the clock in the third off another assist by Ingram, increasing the Pioneers' lead to 14 points.

After assisting on two baskets, Ingram decided to flex her shooting depth and hit just her second three pointer of the season off a stellar pass by Brielle Woods. Ingram's three gave the Pioneers a 17-point lead with six minutes remaining in the quarter.

All Pioneers got involved in the third quarter scoring onslaught. With 3:10 on the clock, Keslyn King found her stroke on the baseline, hitting a jumper to push the Pioneers to a solid 19-point advantage.

In the final minute of the third quarter, Ngozi Obineke and Moyer combined to send the Pioneers into the final 10 minutes of action on a 5-0 run. Moyer assisted on an Obineke layup. Then, Obineke returned the favor and assisted on a three by Moyer.

In the final 28 seconds, Obineke grabbed a steal and passed ahead to Jordan Jackson, who assisted on another made basket by Moyer to close the third quarter.

The Pioneers shot 75% from downtown in the quarter, 64.7% from the field and 100% from the free throw line for an extremely efficient 27 points.

The Pioneers entered the fourth quarter with a 22-point lead, 59-37.

TWU cooled off slightly in the fourth, scoring just 11 points; nevertheless, the Hilltoppers did have an answer in the final 10 minutes.

Three of the Pioneers' 11 points came off of Ingram's third three of the season, as she was feeling confident from deep. Ingram's three marked the Pioneers' last bucket of the game.

With 20 seconds on the clock, an offensive rebound by Grace Lowery sealed the win for the Pioneers, 70-51.

Ingram led the Pioneers with 20 points—her seventh game this season with 20 or more points. She also grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds in the win to record her fifth double-double of the season and the 11th of her career. Ingram also distributed the ball well, finishing the game with five assists.

Moyer and Hines both rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Pioneers with 10 points each. Hines' 10 points in 18 minutes of action matched her season-high from the Pioneers' contest against Oklahoma Christian on Jan. 26.

Woods continued to guide the Pioneers' well from the point guard position. She finished the game with seven points, seven rebounds, three assists and a season-high four steals.

Obineke also helped lead the Pioneers to a 37-25 rebounding advantage, as she grabbed five rebounds in the win.

TWU scored 38 points in the paint and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds for 11 second-chance points.

"I am proud of how we stayed committed to our plan the entire game," TWU Head Coach Beth Jillson said. "We rode our shooting struggles in the first half and kept shooting, which helped propel us to a win today. Ashley, Brielle and Ngozi played strong for us and were able to control the rebounds in our favor, and Ariyanna and Sadie really made some timely baskets for us down the stretch. Every single player positively impacts the game and that was shown today. We are excited to be back at home in KMA for two games this week."

The Pioneers will return home to Kitty Magee Arena for their next game against Texas A&M International at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9. TWU will be honoring faculty and staff and celebrating NPHC Night.