Box Score LEXINGTON, Ky. - Transylvania got off to a slow start in its quest for a Heartland Conference championship Saturday, falling to Anderson 54-45 in its league opener at the Beck Center.

The Pioneers are 1-4, 0-1 HCAC, while the Ravens improve to 2-3, 1-0 in conference play. Transy had defeated Anderson six straight times prior to Saturday's contest.

The Pioneers scored the game's first five points and led 7-2 at the 16:29 mark only to see the visitors climb back into the contest with a 7-0 run. It was 24-16 in Anderson's favor at halftime.

Alex McKenzie led Transy in the first half with five points and five boards, but the Pioneers connected on just 30 percent of its shots (seven of 23). Anderson canned 10 of 22 for 45 percent. Transy also missed all seven of its free throws over the opening period.

Amy Wuestefeld led Anderson with nine points in the first half. Each team committed 14 first-half turnovers.

Transy could get no closer than six in the second half and trailed by as many as 13 in the late going.

Jariana Gillespie led Transy with 14 points and three rebounds. Terra Lucas added 12 points on four of eight shooting. She added four rebounds. McKenzie finished with seven points and five rebounds.

Transy finished the contest shooting 18 of 51 from the field for 35 percent. The Pioneers were three for 10 from long range and six of 14 from the charity stripe. Anderson was led by Wuestefeld's 18 points and eight rebounds and Emylee Smith added 10 points and four assists. The Ravens shot 45 percent from the field and notched 13 of 16 free throw attempts.

Anderson finished the contest with 24 turnovers compared to 22 for the Pioneers.

Transy returns to action on Wednesday when they host HCAC rival Earlham at 7:30 p.m. at the Beck Center.