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Life > Athletics > Basketball > 1/16/08
PIONEERS FALL 63-61 TO ACU IN LSC SOUTH DIVISION OPENER
Box Score
DENTON, Texas (January 16) –The Texas Woman’s University Pioneers came up just short in their 2008 Lone Star Conference South Division opener on Wednesday night, falling 63-61 to the Abilene Christian University Wildcats at Kitty Magee Arena in Denton.
TWU played a strong first half defensively, forcing 14 ACU turnovers en route to grabbing a 27-26 halftime lead.
ACU, however, stormed out of the locker room and outscored the Pioneers 23-13 in the opening 8:13 of the second half to move in front by a score of 49-40.
“That was a turning point,” said TWU head coach Beth Jillson. “We played so well defensively in the first half. We were talking, switching, diving on the floor, and just flat-out getting after them. But, for some reason, we lost that intensity to start the second half and they got a ton of easy baskets.”
 The Pioneers were able to steady themselves after the ACU run and slowly but surely clawed their way back into the game. Junior post player Renee Renz (pictured) scored 16 second-half points to spark a rally that brought TWU to within two points, 61-59, with 1:07 left to play. Renz then rebounded a missed jumper by ACU senior guard Alex Guiton with 50 seconds showing on the clock to give the Pioneers a chance to tie or take the lead. Unfortunately for TWU, Renz and sophomore guard Keshia Bolds got crossed up on a dribble handoff at the top of key and turned the ball over. The Pioneers were forced to foul, and ACU sophomore guard Kat Kundmueller hit a pair of free throws with just 26 seconds left to play that sealed the narrow win for the road team.
“I’ve got to give my kids some credit,” said Jillson. “We battled back and gave ourselves a chance to win at the end of the game. Unfortunately, they made a few more plays down the stretch then we did. I think we can learn from this though, and the next time we’re in a situation like that, we can execute a little better.”
Renz finished with 20 points and was the Pioneers’ top scorer in the loss. Sophomore guard Jessica Durr (11 points) and sophomore post Chelsea Cook (14 points) also reached double-figures for TWU. Durr also recorded game-highs in rebounds (eight) and assists (seven).
Guiton and junior guard Kristee Davidson tallied 16 points apiece in the victory for ACU (7-7, 1-0 LSC South). Audrey Maxwell, the Wildcats versatile junior center, registered 15 points, six rebounds, and three blocked shots.
TWU (5-9, 0-1 LSC South) will play another South Division game this Saturday, January 19, when they travel to Stephenville, Texas for 7:00 p.m. matchup against the Tarleton State University TexAnns.
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