LEXINGTON, Ky.—Key free throws down the stretch helped the Transylvania University women's basketball team seal a nonconference victory over the visiting Spalding University Golden Eagles. The Pioneers made all five of their free throw attempts over the final 1:15 of play to grab the 70-64 victory.

The Pioneers struggled through a poor shooting first quarter, making just 28 percent (5-18) of their field goal attempts in the quarter but were able to stay close to the Golden Eagles on the scoreboard through a dominating effort on the glass. Transy pulled down eight offensive rebounds in the first quarter and scored 10 second chance points, helping them remain within one point at the first intermission.

Transylvania opened up the second quarter with a three from guard Katelyn Smith to jump out to an 18-16 lead. The teams battled back and forth for the remainder of the quarter as neither team took a lead of more than three points for the duration of the period. Spalding held a two point lead with 2:04 left in the first half before guard Taylor Jackson jumped a passing lane near midcourt and intercepted a pass, starting a fast break for the Pioneers, which was converted by a layup from Jackson, sending the teams to halftime knotted up at 28 points apiece.

The third quarter was kind to the Pioneers as they outscored Spalding 20-10 in the period thanks in part to a strong defensive effort and a dominating rebounding performance. Smith opened scoring for Transy in the quarter with a jumper to give the Pioneers a 30-28 lead. The teams traded baskets for the first four minutes of play in the quarter but the Pioneers went on a quick spurt to increase their lead. Forward Shelby Gransberry fought through contact and made a layup, drawing a foul in the process. After Gransberry converted the and-one opportunity, guard Sarah Ashley knocked down a deep jumper from behind the arc and Smith picked up a steal and dished the ball to guard Kristen Hayes for a layup. With 3:51 remaining in the quarter, the Pioneers held 41-34 lead but Spalding scored back to back baskets to cut the Transy lead to just three points. Transylvania knocked down four free throws and Lindsay Hieronymus hit a three-pointer of her own to help the Pioneers take a 48-38 lead into the final quarter of play.

In the fourth quarter, the Pioneers watched their lead swell to as many as 16 after a three-pointer from guard Celia Kline. Spalding responded, however, with an extended run over the next four minutes and drew within four points in the final minute but free throws from Hayes, Hieronymus and Jackson over the last 34 seconds propelled the Pioneers to the win.

Three Transylvania players scored in double figures. Hayes dropped a team-high 16 points, followed by 15 from Smith and 10 from guard Shawn Kolani. The Pioneers also pulled down 39 boards, led by nine from Smith.

The Pioneers return to Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play on Saturday with a road contest at Rose-Hulman. That game will tip at 1:00pm.