LEXINGTON - Transylvania Men's Basketball erupted for a season high 93 points in the 24 point win over Defiance College this afternoon to begin the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference schedule. 

Three Pioneers finished in double figures with Simon Smith leading the charge with a season high 15 points. Smith finished 3 for 6 on field goals and made 9 free throws in the win. Jaylan Green finished with 13 points in the win to earn his fifth game in a row with double figure scoring. Zach Stahlman was 4 for 8 from the floor to earn a season high 10 points in the win.

Brandon Cromwell entered the game for the first time in two years, and within a few minutes of being on the floor scored Cromwell sank a three point shot that was nothing but net. The shot brought most of the crowd to its feet and erupted as Cromwell made his first shot in two seasons. 

"It feels great honestly. All of the hard work for the past two years to rehab injuries and get back here with my teammates. It feels amazing. I don't really have the words for it." Cromwell said after the win. "I'm just glad to be out here with my teammates and make an impact." Although it's been two years, the confidence never left Cromwell. "I knew as soon as I let it go it was going in."

23 year Head Coach Brian Lane praised his team's ball movement after opening the HCAC slate with a dominant win. 

"The number one thing on the board today was move the ball." Lane said. "When we move the ball and run things in transition, good things happen." 

Lane talked about the new norm every game. "We need to keep lifting the bar... You probably can't get 24 assists every game, but you can certainly keep your assists better than your turnovers." The 24 assists was a season high for Transy. 

Matthew Teague finished with a team high 8 assists in the win. He added 9 points. Hunter Penn finished with 10 rebounds and was 2 points shy of a double-double. 

Transylvania continues their home stand and HCAC schedule with a visit from Franklin College this Wednesday for a 7:30 PM matchup at the Clive M. Beck Center.