LEXINGTON - The no. 2 ranked Transylvania Women's Basketball team defeated Chatham University in the opening round of the NCAA DIII tournament at the Clive M. Beck Center 61-40 to advance to the round of 32.

The win extends the longest active winning streak in the NCAA to 61 games, passing Capital University's 60 game win streak set between the 1994 and 1995 seasons. It's tied for the 3rd longest streak in NCAA DIII women's basketball history.

1 - Washington University of St. Louis - 81
2 - Amherst - 68
3 - Thomas More - 61
3 - Hope - 61
3 - Transy - 61
6 - Capital - 60
7 - DePauw - 58

All divisions for women's basketball

1 - UConn - 111
2 - UConn - 90
3 - Washington University of St. Louis - 81
4 - Ashland - 73
5 - UConn - 70
6 - Amherst - 68
7 - Thomas More - 61
7 - Hope - 61
7 - Transy - 61
10 - Capital - 60
11 - DePauw - 58

All divisions for men and women

1 - UConn - 101
2 - UConn - 90
3 - UCLA Men's - 81
4 - Washington University of St. Louis - 81
5 - Ashland - 73
6 - UConn - 70
7 - Amherst - 68
8 - Thomas More - 61
8 - Hope - 61
8 - Transy - 61
11 - San Francisco Men's - 60
11 - SUNY Potsham Men's - 60
11- Capital - 60
14 - DePauw - 58
15-  Winona State Men's - 57

In the first meeting between the teams, Transy looked set on their way to an easy win after a strong 18-5 first quarter, but the Cougars responded back with a 17-10 second quarter to cut the Pioneer lead down to just six points heading into the half.

Transy shot just 36% in the first half, but rebounded well offensively in the half for 7 second chance points. The Pioneers outscored Chatham in the paint 16-10 in the half.

The NCAA's no. 1 scoring defense stepped up big in the third quarter. Needing to get the momentum back in their favor, Transy's defense held the Cougars to just 4 third quarter points. Transylvania took a commanding 44-26 lead to put Chatham away before the fourth.

"In the second half we made some adjustments to have an easier time with some of their shooters and I thought they (Transy) did a great job understanding that which kind of propelled us their in the third quarter." Head Coach Juli Fulks said after the win.

Transy made just four field goals in the third but 7 of the Pioneers's 8 made free throws came in the quarter. The Pioneers outscored the Cougars 17-14 in the fourth quarter for the 21 point win.

"We had a couple good numbers that we were trying to hit. We thought rebounding would really matter so I was really impressed with our efforts on the offensive boards," Fulks said. TU out-rebounded Chatham 50-26 on the night, and offensively 23-10.

"I saw we ended up getting twenty three. Part of that was because we didn't shoot great for a while so we had plenty of opportunities. We talked about needing to control the boards to help control tempo."

Once Transy gathered themselves after the second quarter, the momentum was all on the Pioneers's side the rest of the game.

Dasia Thornton earned her third straight double-double with a 20 point, 11 rebound performance. Sydney Wright finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Laken Ball finished with 8 points and 7 rebounds.

The win is Juli Fulks's 397th.

Up next: Transylvania will face Ohio Wesleyan tomorrow night at 7:30 with an opportunity to advance to the sweet sixteen for the third consecutive season.