Lexington, KY – The Transylvania women's basketball team converted 17 opponent turnovers into 28 points to soar to a 76-60 over the visiting Franklin College Grizzlies at the Beck Center this Wednesday night.

Senior guard Shawn Kolani had a masterful all-around performance, finishing with a team second-best 17 points, a game-high eight assists, six rebounds and two steals. Kolani sank five 3-pointers on eight attempts during a night in which the Pioneers knocked down 11 triples.

Senior guard Katelyn Smith was the game-high scorer for Transylvania with her second straight 20-point game on 9-for-15 shooting from the field and one made 3-pointer. Freshman forward Kristen Hayes matched Kolani with a 17-point night and contributed three shots from downtown in the game.

For the second consecutive game, defense ruled the night for Transylvania as they held their second straight opponent to under 30 points in the first half. Franklin slogged their way to 9-for-23 shooting in the first half while committing 11 turnovers in the first 20 minutes.

While the turnover margin favored the Pioneers by just three, the home team took full advantage of the Grizzly turnovers, outscoring Franklin 18 to 2 in points off turnovers in the first half.

After both teams sought rhythm in the first two minutes of the game, Kolani opened up the scoring with the first of her five 3-pointers, igniting her hot hand that never grew dim on this night. Kolani struck again three minutes later with her second long bomb of the game for an early 10-2 Transy lead.

Kristen Hayes followed soon thereafter with her first three of the game to give the Pios a 13-5 lead.

Once the dust had settled at the end of the first quarter, the Pioneers led 20-13 thanks to for 4-for-9 shooting from behind-the-arc. The Pioneers added four more 3-pointers in the second quarter to build a 38-24 halftime lead.

Both teams picked up the pace as the second half began. Transylvania continued to create points off Franklin giveaways via fast breaks and crisp ball movement in the halfcourt.

The Pioneers took an 18-point lead into the fourth quarter and with sophomore forward Rachel Cox sitting with four fouls, successfully churned time off the clock. Reserve senior guard Ali Moreland stepped up with three offensive rebounds in the final period, all resulting in putbacks or trips to the foul line.

The Pioneers dished out 18 assists to Franklin's 11. The Pioneers improved to 8-0 when passing for 15 assists or more in a game.

The win gave Transylvania its first three-game winning streak of the year and elevated the Pioneers (9-5 overall, 5-2 HCAC) into a three-way tie for second place in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference standings. The loss was Franklin's second in conference play and dropped them into the busy second-place position with the Pioneers and Rose-Hulman.

Tonight's contest marked the seventh straight game that Transy has held an opponent to 66 points or less.

Transylvania now embarks on a two-game trip away from the Beck Center beginning with a Saturday afternoon matinee at Manchester. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM.