FRISCO, Texas (March 6, 2026) – For the second year in a row, the eighth-seeded UT Permian Basin women's basketball team battled against top-seeded and No. 1 nationally-ranked Texas Woman's University in the quarterfinals of the Lone Star Conference Tournament. In the end, however, the Falcons fell by 15 points (69-54) against the Pioneers.

It was a competitive start as TWU only led 22-20 early in the second quarter, but the Pioneers closed the half on an 18-4 run. After allowing TWU to score at least 20 points in each of the first two quarters, including a 20-8 advantage in the second quarter, the Falcons stayed aggressive and trimmed a 27-point third-quarter deficit down to single digits early in the fourth quarter.

The third quarter saw TWU push the lead up to 27 before UTPB started to rally. A 13-0 run for the Falcons late in the third quarter cut a 26-point deficit in half (54-41). The Pioneers went without a made field goal (0-for-5 with seven turnovers) over the final seven minutes of the third quarter, going 0-for-5 with seven turnovers, but making 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Meanwhile, after starting the game 0-for-14 from three, UTPB made its first 3-pointer with a stepback buzzer beater by Mikalah Buckley just before the end of the period to cap a 19-6 run for the Falcons and make it a 12-point game 58-46 going into the fourth quarter.

In all, it was a 22-16 scoring advantage in the third quarter for UTPB, reversing the scores from the first quarter. It was also a complete 180 from last season's 30-11 third-quarter scoring advantage for the Pioneers in their 2025 quarterfinal matchup against the Falcons.

Through three quarters, TWU was a super-efficient 23-of-25 (92.0 percent) from the free throw line, meaning the Falcons would need to keep the Pioneers off of the line if they wanted to try and make a comeback in the fourth quarter.

A 3-pointer by Kenadi Rising made it an 11-point game (60-49), and then after a turnover by the Pioneers, a layup by Rising got the Falcons to within single digits (60-51) two minutes into the final period.

Unfortunately, UTPB would go the next seven-plus minutes without scoring as the pressure to make shots became greater and greater. 26 turnovers in the game by the Pioneers gave the Falcons opportunities, but they just could not score enough. UTPB scored on just one of its final 13 field goal attempts.

Both teams shot below 30 percent with no more than four made field goals in the fourth quarter as TWU was able to run out the clock and secure the win. Similar to last year's matchup in which TWU held UTPB to nine points in the fourth quarter, the Pioneers were able to coast to the win this time around by holding the Falcons to just eight points in the final period.

UTPB led the game 28-13 in points off turnovers and 29-17 on bench points while points in the paint were tied at 24-24.

UTPB also made one more field goal than TWU (21-20) while both teams made three 3-pointers, despite UTPB shooting 13 more 3-point attempts. The biggest difference was the charity stripe, were TWU held a 26-9 scoring advantage. The Pioneers shot 31 attempts from the line (83.9 percent) compared to 12 attempts (75.0 percent) for the Falcons.

Another huge difference was rebounding as TWU led 46-24 overall and 34-15 on defensive rebounds. Offensive rebounds, however, were competitive with just a 12-9 advantage for the Pioneers leading to a 11-6 lead on second chance points.

Buckley and Rising both scored 13 points for the Falcons and were followed by Alondra Reyes with eight points and Jonesha Neal with seven. Neal also added four rebounds and three assists. UTPB also had 10 players score, including six off the bench.

As a team, UTPB reached double-digit steals for the 15th time this season. The Falcons had 14 steals and were led by Buckley with four steals while Reyes added three steals and also blocked a pair of shots by the Pioneers. It was the only game this season in which any Falcon had more than one block in the same game.

UTPB Head Women's Basketball Coach Rae Boothe said after the game, "I am so proud of our team. It did not end the way we wanted, but this is such a special group. From day one until now they have been amazing. To only have two returners and to make it back to the LSC Tournament is a big accomplishment. I am very grateful and love this team."

For TWU, Lone Star Conference Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Academic Player of the Year Gabby Elliott had a double-double by halftime and finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds, both game-highs. She had 14 rebounds in the first half. Elliott also led the LSC with five Offensive Player of the Week award during the regular season, and after Friday's performance, now has 16 double-doubles on the season and eight double-doubles in her last nine games.

TWU finished nearly right at its season averages. The Pioneers came into the postseason ranking third in the LSC in scoring at 70.1 points per game and led the conference in field goal percentage at 44.7 percent. TWU scored 69 points on 44.4 percent shooting against the UTPB. In addition, the Pioneers ranked second in the conference in scoring defense, allowing just 54.3 points per game, and held the Falcons to 54 points.

UTPB finishes its 2025-26 season 15-14 overall and 10-10 in the Lone Star Conference, but still qualified for the LSC tournament for the third year in a row and the third time in school history. TWU, meanwhile, earned its 26th straight win and improved to 27-1 on the season. TWU finished the regular season with its fourth consecutive Lone Star Conference regular-season champions with a perfect 20-0 record. The Pioneers have also remained No. 1 in the latest WBCA National Poll for the second consecutive week.