DENTON – The NCAA Division II women’s South Central Regional was a mixed bag for teams from Texas inside Kitty Magee Arena on the campus of Texas Woman’s University. The top two seeds in the tournament, TWU and Colorado Mesa, survived and advanced in tough contests. At the same time, UT Tyler and Adams State were lower seeds to move into the regional semifinals.

No. 6 seed UT Tyler opened defense of its South Central Regional title with a 74-54 victory over No. 3 seed Regis. The Patriots' game plan entering the contest was to force the Rangers to shoot from beyond the 3-point arc. UT Tyler executed the plan to near perfection, with Regis making only 11 of 40 shots from long range. Shooting struggles were common for Regis throughout the contest, with the Rangers making 8 of 31 shots inside the 3-point line. 

Martina Machalova led the Patriots with a team-high 26 points while hitting 7 of 13 shots from 3-point range. Meagan Mendazona was the only other player from UT Tyler to score in double figures with 11 points, while Brooklyn Palmer secured a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Rangers were led by Josey Ryan, who scored a game-high 27 points while grabbing eight rebounds. The senior was the most effective Regis player from 3-point range, hitting 7 of 13 attempts. Fellow senior Sam Deem nearly recorded a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds.

No. 2 seed Colorado Mesa scored the final seven points of the next contest to earn a 68-61 victory over No. 7 seed Lubbock Christian. The win snapped the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's seven-game losing streak against the Lone Star Conference in NCAA Division II tournament action. The Lady Chaps used a 9-0 run to tie the game at 61 with 1:09 before Kylie Kravig made a layup to push the Mavericks back in front.

RMAC Player of the Year Olivia Reed created problems for LCU throughout the contest, finishing with a game-high 30 points and 16 rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds. Kravig added 11 points, six assists, and four rebounds for the Mavericks, while Mason Rowland scored eight points and secured 10 rebounds off the bench.

Grace Foster led LCU with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Maci Maddox added 13 points and five assists, and Audrey Robertson chipped in 13 points. The Mavericks advance to the South Central Regional semifinal and will meet No. 6 seed UT Tyler at 5 p.m. Saturday.

No. 8 seed Colorado School of Mines gave top seed Texas Woman’s a scare through three quarters before the Pioneers pulled away for an 81-72 victory. The Orediggers led by 10 points in each half, but TWU had an answer each time. Mines held a 59-52 lead entering the fourth quarter after holding the Pioneers without a field goal for 8:09 of the third quarter. The Orediggers appeared to gain an advantage when LSC Player of the Year Ashley Ingram fouled out with 4:40 remaining, and the score tied at 62.

However, the Pioneers took over then, outscoring the Orediggers 19-10 through the remainder of regulation. The game was disjointed throughout, with the teams combining for 55 fouls and 69 free throws. Three Orediggers fouled out, and three others finished the game with four fouls. Meanwhile, Ingram was the only Pioneers player to foul out, while two teammates finished the contest with four fouls.

Ingram led four TWU players in double figures with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Jada Celsur added 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists, and Scout Huffman chipped in 12 points and six rebounds. Jenna Siebert led the Orediggers with 23 points, and senior Ashley Steffeck added 14 points and seven rebounds in the final collegiate game of her career.

The nightcap featured two up-tempo teams who lit up the scoreboard. No. 5 seed Adams State led for over 30 minutes en route to a 96-83 win over No. 4 seed UT Permian Basin. The game featured four ties and eight lead changes until the Grizzlies pulled away late in the fourth quarter.

Alexus Quaadman finished her collegiate career with a double-double for the Falcons. The senior scored 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Kamryn Lemon and Holly Hemmeline added 11 points. Riahana Davis led Adams State with 23 points and six rebounds, with Harmanie Dominguez adding 21 points.

The loss ends a historic season for UTPB. The Falcons finished the season with multiple program records, including the most wins in a single season, advanced to and won a game at the LSC tournament, and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II tournament.

The Grizzlies and TWU will meet in the semifinals on Saturday, with tip scheduled for 7:30 p.m.