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Western New Mexico University Athletics

Western New Mexico University Athletics
Paulina Rodriguez
Jay Hemphill, WNMU

Women's Basketball

WNMU Heads to Texas Woman's, Tarleton for Pair of Conference Contests

Women's Basketball

WNMU Heads to Texas Woman's, Tarleton for Pair of Conference Contests

Denton/Stephenvile, Tex. – After hosting a pair of matches last weekend, the Mustang women's basketball team takes to the road for a clash with the Pioneers of Texas Woman's, followed by the final meeting with the Texans of Tarleton before they make the move to Division I. Thursday's game in Denton is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST, while Saturday's game will follow the regular schedule with a 2 p.m. CST start time.

LAST TIME OUT:

In their first home series, the Mustangs faced cross state rival Eastern New Mexico and regionally ranked West Texas A&M. Against the Greyhounds, WNMU managed to hold their opponent to just six points in the opening frame but gave up 23 points in the second to trail by ten at the half. The teams went back and forth in the second half with the Mustangs shooting a staggering 54 percent from the field and 50 percent from deep for a 14-12 scoring advantage in the third. The first of two meetings this season went to ENMU, but WNMU will have another opportunity against the Greyhounds during the first week of February in Portales.

Despite not having preseason player of the year in Lexi Hightower, the Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M had three players in double figures on their way to a 69-52 win Saturday. WT used a 24-9 edge out of the gate, outscoring WNMU in all but the fourth quarter. For the home team, Kayla Clark (Mesa, Arizona/Dobson High School) put up a team and season high 16 points, going 6-8 from the charity stripe along with seven rebounds. 

TEXAS WOMAN'S PIONEERS (5-8, 3-6 LSC)
In her 13th season at the helm of Texas Woman's basketball, head coach Beth Jillson has led the Pioneers to six consecutive LSC tournament appearances along with a trip to the South Central Regional back in 2015. A team that went 10-19 last season fell in the first round of the postseason to Angelo State.

The 2019-20 squad is fairly young, featuring six freshman and five sophomores with just five upperclassmen. Tenth in the preseason poll, the Pioneers return Second Team All-Conference member, Carissa Moody. Moody now a senior has appeared in nine matches, just shy of averaging a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds per contest.
Similar to the Mustangs TWU is currently on a three game skid, their last win coming against Texas A&M International to open the year on Jan. 2.

TALK ABOUT THE TEXANS (11-4, 5-4 LSC)  
Picked to finish fifth in the preseason poll, the Tarleton Texans are 2-1 in their division after dropping an overtime thriller to Texas Woman's in the conference opener. After starting the season seesawing, Tarleton has gone on to win five straight, four of which against league opponents. On their first road trip of the new calendar, Oklahoma Christian threatened to snap the winning streak but Tarleton would prevail with a 58-57 win, capping off the 2-0 weekend with a 69-54 win over UAFS.

Senior Mackenzie Hailey has been a major contributor to her team's success, starting every match so far having yet to score under less than double-digits. The forward, scored a season-high 27-points against UAFS going 11-of-15 from the field and 4-of-5 at the foul line.

The Texans will make the transition to Division I starting Fall of 2020, accepting an invitation to compete in the Western Athletic Conference. Saturday's contest will be the last time competing against TSU as a conference opponent.

Follow along with live stats and video stream at wnmumustangs.com 
 
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Players Mentioned

Kayla Clark

#32 Kayla Clark

F
5' 10"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Kayla Clark

#32 Kayla Clark

5' 10"
Senior
F