Kingsville - The Texas A&M-Kingsville women's team struggled to establish offensive rhythm Thursday night, falling 52-41 to No. 5 Texas Woman's University in the Lone Star Conference opener.

The Javelinas showed they can compete with top-ranked opponents, holding the Pioneers to a season-low in points, 21 below their season average. Kingsville won the statistical battles in several key categories, out-rebounding Texas Woman's by four, shooting more efficiently from the field (+3%), and recording more assists on the night (+4).

As it has a number of times early in the season, the Javelinas' defense led the way, forcing 18 Pioneer turnovers, but 30 turnovers of their own proved costly. Kingsville shot 16-of-40 (40%) from the field, with scoring opportunities difficult to come by against the nation's fifth-ranked team.

"We prepped really well for this yesterday, and I thought the players did a good job," Head Coach Michael Madrid said. "They're very well-coached, but at the end of the day, we can't continue to be self-inflicting. You know, 30 turnovers, you're not going to win college basketball games turning the ball over 30 times. And I don't necessarily think that had anything to do with what TW was doing to us. No disrespect to them, I think just our decision-making is not where it needs to be."

Defense dominated the early going, with both the Javelinas and Pioneers slow to get going offensively throughout the first two quarters. The blue and gold took the lead going into the break by one point (21-20) thanks to a rebound and layup in the half's final seconds from sophomore forward Thalia Daniels. 

"I thought in the first half we had energy, we were flying around," Madrid said. "I thought our zone was really, really active."

Coming out of the locker room, Texas Woman's showed why they are the No. 5 ranked team in the country beginning to move the ball, create spacing, and most importantly limit turnovers. 

Texas Woman's took control in the third quarter, shooting 6-of-14 (42.9%) while limiting Kingsville to 3-of-10 (30%) from the field. The Pioneers also won the turnover battle by four during the frame, building a lead that held up.

The Javelinas were led by sophomore guard Kaycee Groves, who scored 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting while adding three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 36 minutes of action. Daniels continued to impress early in the season with a career-high 10 points and six rebounds, along with one assist and one block. Sophomore guard Addisyn Parker was efficient with nine points, all coming from beyond the three-point line on 3-of-6 shooting, while also contributing three rebounds, one assist, and two steals.

The Javelinas kept the game close from start to finish, receiving contributions throughout the roster. Junior guard Evelyn Quiroz came off the bench to dish out a team-high four assists and add one block. Freshman forward Justine Aguilar provided energy in eight minutes with three rebounds and one block, while sophomore forward Catelyn Benally added four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

The Javelinas won't have to wait long for the chance to capture their first season victory, hosting UT-Tyler on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in a Deck the SPEC celebration.