TWU finds itself in another three-game losing streak - its second this season - and the schedule doesn't get any easier tonight when the Pioneers play host to league-leading Tarleton State at 7 p.m. at Kitty Magee Arena.
The TexAnns (17-5) arrive with a 14-0 mark in Lone Star Conference play, providing the Pioneers the ultimate challenge as they attempt to reverse a recent stretch in which they've been dominated on the boards, outscored in the paint and offered up little threat from the perimeter with poor 3-point shooting the last three games.
The Pioneers (10-10, 5-9) have struggled all season with a lack of inside height, which has allowed opposing defenses to drop into a zone and force TWU to be more reliant upon its perimeter shooting.
"We've really struggled on the offensive end," said head coach Beth Jillson. "Offensively, we haven't been able to make [open] shots and we're just not making smart decisions. We don't have a great inside presence, so when players leave you open on the perimeter, you've got to knock them down."
Injuries in the preseason claimed two of the taller Pioneers expected to fill TWU's needs in the middle. Senior forward Jeanee' Thompson and sophomore forward Kacie Byford, both 5-foot-10, suffered season-ending injuries before the first game. Then 6-0 junior transfer Shay Reed left the team prior to the start of the season.
The last hit came in December when 6-1 freshman Tiara Davis was ruled ineligible after playing only nine games.
Since the start of January, 5-10 junior Rachel Cuffie - a guard most of her career - has been called upon to handle much of the inside duties for the Pioneers. Senior guard Jessica Hanna, at 5-9, has also helped out inside as a capable rebounder and defender.
Still, in their last three losses, the Pioneers have been outrebounded 42-30 (Abilene Christian), 40-23 (Eastern New Mexico) and 40-26 (West Texas A&M).
"Even though we're undersized, it's about being mentally and physically tougher, and doing all the little things," Jillson said. "Last year we were undersized and we won the conference. We're used to being undersized. It's nothing new."
Struggles from outside the 3-point line also have contributed to TWU's recent stretch of losses. Saturday against the Lady Buffs, the Pioneers connected on just two of 11 3-pointers. In the other two losses, TWU combined to hit 11 of 48 from beyond the arc.
 
Pioneers going pink
TWU will hold a pink-out at tonight's game to help raise awareness and funds for women's cancer research. As part of a "Play 4 Kay" promotion, the Pioneers will don pink uniforms for their game against Tarleton State.
In addition, the first 200 fans will receive "Play 4 Kay" T-shirts and all fans will receive pink pompoms sponsored by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and its WBCA Pink Zone promotion.
"Play 4 Kay" supports the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, which was established following the death of Yow, the former North Carolina State head coach who died of cancer in 2009.
Softball
Too many walks
One number that bothered softball coach Richie Bruister after watching his Pioneers drop two of three in last weekend's season-opening series against Southern Arkansas was 16 - the number of bases on balls given up by his pitchers.
But there is another number, 52, that Bruister quickly notes about the weekend. He made sure his players realize it's a long season and informed them that's how many games TWU had left after the Pioneers' disappointing 8-1 loss on a cold, breezy Saturday that kicked off the new season on a sour note.
"There was one bright spot, which I told the girls after Saturday's game: We've got 52 left to go," Bruister said. "I thought we showed a lot of character and came back and played well in the second game on Sunday. In the third game we just didn't get the breaks when we needed them."
Walks helped Southern Arkansas to the win Saturday when TWU allowed eight in the opener. On Sunday, the Pioneers issued four more in the first game of the doubleheader but battled to a 6-2 win. In the series finale, SAU collected four more walks in a 3-2 decision over the Pioneers.
Sophomore pitcher Katie Hines looked strong in Game 2 as she tossed a complete game while allowing just one earned run and five hits. Third baseman Jordan Readicker, meanwhile, sparked the offense with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate and was 4-for-6 for the day.
Freshman shortstop Kathryn Williams also got off to a good start, finishing 3-for-5 in Sunday's doubleheader.
Garcia working
Junior transfer Larisa Garcia pitched in two of the weekend's games as she is working to get back into a shape after recovering from getting hit in the head by a batted ball during a Pioneers practice last month.
In Saturday's opener, Garcia gave up five runs on six hits in five innings in an 8-1 loss.
Bruister used her again the next day to pitch a complete Game 3 of the weekend series. In a tough 3-2 loss, Garcia racked up six strikeouts while allowing two earned runs.
"She's our go-to pitcher," Bruister said. "She missed some practice time, and we wanted to get her back out there and ready to go for the season."
Garcia is one of five transfers to join the Pioneers this season.
Gymnastics
Pioneers again improve
For the third time in five meets this season, the Pioneers improved on their overall team score.
Competing last Friday against 18th-ranked Arizona, TWU finished with a season-best team score of 193.725. The Pioneers fell short of defeating the Wildcats (195.875), but the total did mark the second consecutive meet the Pioneers have recorded a new season-high team total.
TWU opened the season with a win over Air Force, scoring 191.450 points. The next week in a four-way meet, the Pioneers improved to 192.425 to finish in second place. Then two weeks ago in a dual meet with Central Michigan, the Pioneers established a new seasonal mark with a winning score of 192.925.
The Pioneers have only two remaining home meets, beginning with Saturday's dual meet with Centenary. The meet is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Kitty Magee Arena. The two squads competed earlier this season in a four-way meet at TWU on Jan. 21 and will compete again in Shreveport on Feb. 17.
Cannie, Knowles honored
TWU seniors Rashonda Cannie and Chaynade Knowles were named Midwest Independent Conference gymnasts of the week for Jan. 30-Feb. 5.
Cannie earned the All-Arounder of the Week honor, while Knowles received the Specialist of the Week award.
Cannie led the Pioneers with a season-high all-around score of 38.925 to finish second against No. 18 Arizona last Friday. The Harker Heights native scored a 9.675 on vault, 9.775 on bars, 9.725 on beam and 9.750 on floor.
Knowles set a career high on bars with a 9.850 to lead the team and tie for first in the event.
Cannie and Knowles helped TWU to season-best performances on bars and beam. The Pioneers earned a 48.200 or higher on all four events, including 48.900 on bars and 48.300 on beam.
