MARYVILLE, Tenn.—The Transylvania University women's basketball team dropped a nonconference match up to the No. 13 ranked Maryville College Scots in a road contest Sunday, 69-57. Four Pioneers tallied double-digit points in the contest but it was not enough as the Scots pulled away for the win.

The Pioneers ran out to a quick 12-5 lead in the first quarter after a layup from forward Shelby Gransbery with 5:24 to play in the opening period, but Maryville responded with a 7-0 run to even the score at 12 at the 3:40 mark in the first quarter. The Scots grabbed the lead for good just 20 seconds later with a three-point jumper to take a three point advantage. Transy shot a respectable 50 percent (6-12) from the floor in the first period, but Maryville made the most of seven Pioneer turnovers in the period, knocking down four-of-eight three-point attempts in the quarter to work their way out front.

Both teams went scoreless in the first two minutes of the second quarter, which was marked by an increased defensive intensity from both squads. Maryville eventually found the basket and opened up a 10-point lead but a layup from guard Celia Kline cut the deficit to seven with 4:30 to play in the half, but the Scots again responded with back-to-back layups, building their lead back to double-digits at the 3:27 mark in the second period.

Maryville saw their lead swell to 35-21 with less than two minutes left in the half. Guard Shawn Kolani hit a free throw with 1:49 to play to spark a quick 5-0 run from the Pioneers to close the half as they entered the locker room trailing by nine points.

Transylvania won the third quarter, outscoring Maryville 18-15 in the quarter behind seven points from forward Rachel Cox, who went two-for-three from the floor and two-for-two at the free throw line. Kline added six points in the frame and guard Katelyn Smith gave the Pioneers four more points. Despite shooting just 35 percent (6-17) in the quarter, Transy was able to limit Maryville's possessions after the Pioneers pulled down three offensive rebounds and forcing three Scot turnovers.

Trailing by 13 with 3:14 to play in the third quarter, Kline knocked down three-pointers on back to back possessions for Transylvania and Cox dropped in a jumper after grabbing an offensive rebound with 1:43 to play to pull the Pioneers within five points. Maryville pushed their lead back to nine but a shot from behind the arc by Cox cut the deficit to six with 34 seconds left in the quarter, sending Transy into the fourth quarter trailing by six points.

Transylvania went cold in the fourth quarter, shooting 39 percent (5-13) and the Maryville offense erupted for 19 points on 62 percent (8-13) shooting to pull away down the stretch.

Cox was the leading scorer on the day for Transylvania, dropping 14 points on 40 percent shooting (4-10) from the floor. Gransbery added 13 points and Smith picked up her first double-double of the season, scoring 10 points and snagging 10 rebounds. Kline was the fourth and final Pioneer to record double-digit points with 10. Smith's 10 boards were a game high as Transy pulled down 45 rebounds in the contest. The Pioneers also dished out 10 assists, led by three each from Kolani and guard Ali Moreland.

Transylvania returns to action on December 30 at home against Spalding University at 7:00pm.