FRISCO, Texas - Riding an eight-game winning streak and fueled by one of the nation's most productive benches, fifth-seeded Eastern New Mexico (20-9, 15-5 LSC) faces its toughest test of the season when the Greyhounds take on top-seeded and top-ranked Texas Woman's (27-1, 20-0 LSC) in the Lone Star Conference tournament semifinals Saturday at 6 p.m. CT inside the Comerica Center.
 
Senior guard Chloe Dallas has been the catalyst for ENMU's late-season surge, averaging 14.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game while shooting 54.3 percent from the field. The LSC newcomer of the year has also been a defensive force with 29 steals and 25 blocks on the season.
 
Junior guard Aaliyah Smith provides a complementary scoring punch at 10.2 points per game while leading the Greyhounds with 74 assists and adding 41 steals. Smith has been particularly effective from beyond the arc, connecting on 36.9 percent of her attempts.
 
Junior forward Julieta Ceja rounds out ENMU's offensive attack with 9.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Ceja has been lethal from 3-point range, shooting 46.4 percent from distance while contributing 25 steals defensively.
 
Guard Nataya Lockett adds 8.3 points per game and has been a dual threat as both a scorer and facilitator with 49 assists and 44 steals. Forward Mekhila Brown contributes 7.0 points per game on an efficient 53.3 percent shooting.
 
The Greyhounds' depth has been a defining characteristic this season. Eastern leads the LSC and ranks seventh nationally in bench points per game at 32.1.
 
ENMU's defensive pressure has also been a key factor, as the Greyhounds average 10.9 steals per game – fourth in the conference and 52nd in the nation. That aggressive style has helped Eastern force 20.4 turnovers per game while committing just 17.0.
 
The Hounds advanced to the semifinals with a hard-fought 62-59 overtime victory over Lubbock Christian on Friday night. Dallas led the way with a game-high 14 points while adding six rebounds, two steals and a block. Smith contributed 13 points, connecting on three 3-pointers and adding two steals. Toyah Montgomery rounded out the double-figure scorers with 12 points, three rebounds and two steals.
 
The victory extended ENMU's winning streak to eight games, a run that includes wins over Cameron (76-47), No. 8 West Texas A&M (61-57 OT), UT Dallas (69-51), Texas A&M International (69-59), Texas A&M-Kingsville (57-56), UT Permian Basin (72-67) and Angelo State (64-50).
 
Eastern has qualified for the LSC tournament for the second consecutive season. The Greyhounds fell to Angelo State, 71-61, in the first-round last season but avenged that loss during this year's regular season.
 
As a team, the Greyhounds average 70.0 points per game while holding opponents to 60.0. ENMU shoots 41.6 percent from the field compared to 37.5 percent for opponents and outrebounds teams 38.9 to 35.3 per game. The Greyhounds also hold advantages in assists (14.1 to 11.2) and blocks (2.5 to 1.8).
 
Standing in ENMU's way is a Texas Woman's squad that has been nearly perfect all season. The Pioneers enter on a 26-game winning streak and boast a 27-1 overall record with a perfect 20-0 mark in LSC play, earning them the No. 1 ranking in the nation.
 
Forward Gabby Elliott has been dominant for TWU, averaging 16.6 points and 11.7 rebounds per game while shooting 54.7 percent from the field. The senior has recorded 305 total rebounds and swatted 43 shots this season.
 
Guard Averee Kleinhans leads the Pioneers in scoring at 17.0 points per game while adding 6.0 rebounds and shooting 45.7 percent from the field. Kleinhans has also contributed 73 assists and 40 steals.
 
Guard Madi Lumsden provides additional scoring at 10.3 points per game on 45.0 percent shooting while dishing out 56 assists.
 
Texas Woman's advanced to the semifinals with a 69-54 victory over eighth-seeded UT Permian Basin on Friday. Elliott led the Pioneers with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting while grabbing 12 defensive rebounds for her seventh double-digit rebounding performance. Jada Celsur added 14 points, making five of six free throw attempts.
 
The Pioneers' statistical profile is imposing across the board. TWU averages 70.1 points per game while allowing just 54.3, shoots 44.7 percent from the field compared to 34.2 percent for opponents, and outrebounds teams 39.3 to 32.0 per game. The Pioneers also excel at the free throw line, converting 77.7 percent of their attempts.
 
Texas Woman's defensive intensity forces 16.5 turnovers per game while committing just 14.3, and the Pioneers block 3.6 shots per contest.
 
Saturday's matchup features contrasting styles, with ENMU's bench depth and defensive pressure facing TWU's dominant inside presence and overall efficiency. The Greyhounds will look to extend their winning streak to nine games and pull off the upset against the nation's top-ranked team.
 
ENMU athletics will host a pregame celebration before the game on March 7, at the Rodeo Goat in Frisco at 11:30 a.m. Please RSVP with the link above.