Box Score
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Pioneers struggled early, but controlled the rest of the game as they cruised to an 80-63 win over Defiance College on Senior Day Saturday at the Beck Center.
In their first game in the top 25 of the USA Today Sports Division III Coaches' Poll, the Pioneers had to do without their lone senior, Madison Webb. Webb was forced to leave with 6:44 left in the first half due to injury. Though she did return shortly after, she was forced to miss the remainder of the contest. Webb finished with two points and one block.
However, the two scoring leaders in the Heartland Conference turned in big days for the Pioneers.
Coming off her Player of the Week honors, sophomore
Katelyn Smith stepped up to led all scorers with 29 points while junior
Nicole Coffman finished with 22 points. Smith was 4-for-6 from behind the arc and grabbed seven rebounds in the win, while Coffman recorded two steals and was 8-for-9 from the charity stripe. Freshman
Jordin Fender also had a solid performance for the Pioneers finishing with 10 points, four assists and three steals.
The teams traded baskets before Defiance gained a 12-7 lead over the Pioneers at the 14:19 mark. The five point lead was the largest of the game for the Yellow Jackets and was their last lead of the contest.
"We did struggle at times on the offensive end," Head Coach Greg Todd said. "Give Defiance credit for keeping us off rhythm. They played very hard and aggressive."
A three-pointer from Smith at the 13:51 mark sparked a 9-0 run for the Pioneers to take a 16-12 advantage. Transylvania's defense was stingy throughout the entire ball game.
The Pioneers (21-2, 15-1 HCAC) turned Defiance's 18 first half turnovers into 20 points to take a 41-24 lead into the locker room.
"Our defensive pressure was excellent for the entire 40 minutes," Todd said.
The Yellow Jackets netted the first five points of the second half and pulled within 12, 41-29.
Sophomore
Alex Botkin scored her first points with 16:47 remaining and ended the Defiance run. Botkin finished four points and seven rebounds in the victory.
The Pioneers forced an impressive 36 turnovers, 14 of which were steals. Saturday marked the 12th time of the 2013-14 season the Pioneers recorded 10 or more steals in a game.
Defiance's Kim Bingley led the Yellow Jackets with 14 points, while Kelsey Tietje contributed 12 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.
The Pioneers return to action Wednesday to take on Hanover College at the Beck Center. Transylvania won the previous meeting in Hanover, 103-91. Wednesday's match-up is the final home game of the season for the Pioneers. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
