Box Score LEXINGTON, Ky. â€" Transylvania women's basketball notched their 11^th straight win on Saturday, as they overcame a tough Manchester defense to win, 75-63.

 

"Today was a hard-fought game," said Head Coach Greg Todd. "We had to play hard for 40 minutes to get a win."

 

Sophomore Katelyn Smith led the Pioneers with 23 points and six rebounds, going 6-for-12 from the field and 10-for-12 from the free throw line. Junior Nicole Coffman followed closely behind with 17 points and seven rebounds, going 8-for-18 from the floor.

 

For the second-straight game, Transylvania's stat sheet sported an even balance in scoring, as four Pioneers reached double-digits in the win, including Smith, Coffman, senior Madisen Webb (12) and sophomore Alex Botkin (11).

 

Botkin made an impact in the opening minutes of game play, grabbing the tipoff and rebounding a missed shot by Coffman with a put-back for two. The first points may have been fairly easy, but the remainder of the first would prove to be a battle.

 

The teams tied eight times in the first nine minutes of game play, trading points and forcing six turnovers between the two teams. Manchester's full court pressure upset the Pioneers, as the Spartans press caused eight turnovers in the first half alone. 

 

Despite the unrelenting pressure, Transylvania's work drawing fouls and creating opportunities in the paint kept them in the contest. The Pioneers dominated the boards in the first, grabbing 28 to Manchester's 15.

 

The effort netted Transylvania 22 points in the paint, accounting for more than half of their first-half point total. Another nine points were accumulated at the free throw line, where the Pioneers managed 11 attempts to the Spartans' four.

 

Coach Todd "was pleased" with the rebounding and overall effort which gave them an 8-point lead at the half, 42-34.

 

Manchester may have rattled the Pioneers early, but Transylvania hit their stride in the second half.

 

After allowing three-straight baskets in the first three minutes of the second, the Pioneers kicked into high gear. Coffman, McKenzie and Smith combined to extend the Pioneers to a 7-point lead, which they managed to maintain until five minutes remained in the contest.

 

Fouls gave Transylvania a 13-point cushion, the largest of the night, solidifying their 11th-consecutive victory, remaining undefeated in the Heartland Conference.

 

Transylvania (12-1, 6-0) hosts the Earlham Quakers on Wednesday, January 15 with tipoff slated for 7:30 p.m.