Box Score
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Hanover outscored Transylvania 39-6 from behind the three-point arc Wednesday and rolled to an 85-69 win over the Pioneers in women's Heartland Conference action at the Beck Center.
The Pioneers (12-12, 10-7 HCAC) were making their final regular season home appearance of the season, facing a Hanover (19-4, 15-2), which came into the contest tied with Franklin for the conference lead. Transy has clinched no worse that a fourth place league finish and a spot in the HCAC tourney.
Nicole Coffman was in double figures for the 14th game in a row, leading Transy with 16 points to go with five rebounds.
Jariana Gillespie popped in 14 and Charlie Fant added 11.
Alex McKenzie also had 11 points and grabbed six boards.
Five Panthers were in double figures, led by 17 by Alicia Hopkins, 10 in the second half. Hanover shot 45 percent from the field overall, 46 percent (13 of 28) from long range, and also connected on 14 of 16 free throws in a solid performance.
Transy was 26 of 63 (41 percent), which included just two of 13 from long range. The Pioneers were 15 of 23 from the line and were outrebounded 41-38. Although Transy had a 38-22 edge in scoring in the paint, it made 24 turnover, which Hanover turned into a 32-19 edge in scores off miscues.
Hanover's longest lead was 19 points midway through the second half.
Gillespie drove in for a layup at the buzzer to get Transy within nine, 41-32, at intermission. Fant came off the bench to score 11 first half points while Coffman added nine. The Pioneers shot 37 percent in the half compared to 50 percent for Hanover. The Panthers were led by Sonja Bowyer and Caitlin Bischoff, who each scored eight points.
Hanover also knoced in seven of 15 three-point attempts in the half to just two of 11 for the Pioneers. The home team was also hurt at the foul line, converting just four of 10. Transy led by five in the early going while the halftime margin was the largest of the period for the Panthers.
Transy also committed 13 turnovers in the opening half, which Hanover turned into a 17-9 scoring advantage.
Transy completes regular season play Saturday at Bluffton. The HCAC tournament will be held next week at the site of the conference champion.