Dalton Christopher
Assistant Athletic DIrector - Communications & Media
dchristopher@transy.edu

LEXINGTON, KY - Transylvania University celebrated their senior class of 2025 en route to a 67-56 victory over Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) opponent Mount St. Joseph. The win gives the Pioneers their twelfth straight victory. 

The Pioneers recognized their senior class of 2025: Samantha Cornelison, McClain Murphy, Emilie Teall, Aubree Littlejohn and Sadie Wurth prior to tip-off. Transylvania found themselves tied at 4-4 before a drive to the basket from Riley Flinn gave the Pioneers the lead. Sierra Kemelgor followed with a fast break lay-up moments later while Flinn completed a basket in the paint through contact, finishing the three-point play at the free-throw line. Flinn scored on another drive to the basket while Transylvania found their first three-point field goal in the final minute of the opening quarter, courtesy of Reagan Barrett, to give Transylvania a 12 point lead. 

Cornelison scored another three-pointer for the Pioneers halfway through the second quarter after an offensive run cut the lead to five. Wurth would follow with her first three-pointer of the afternoon to push the Pioneer lead back to eight. In the final two minutes of the first half, Chloe McKnight would score at the rim through contact, earning an extra point from the free-throw line. Makya Grinter would finish the first half with a fast break basket, followed by two free throws to take Transylvania into the half with a 31-24 lead. 

Transylvania opened the third quarter with consecutive three-point field goals from Wurth and two from Cornelison to push the Pioneers back to a double digit advantage. Grinter scored on two fast break opportunities, including a three-pointer, forced from Mount St. Joseph turnovers. Wurth scored again from distance, followed by a fast break lay-up from Flinn as Transylvania pushed the lead to 15. Grinter and Wurth opened the fourth quarter with consecutive drives to the basket as Transylvania began to pull away. Kemelgor and Flinn responded to MSJ baskets with consecutive lay-ups halfway through the fourth, while Keaton Hall closed the afternoon at the free-throw line for the Pioneers victory. 

Key Stats 

- Transylvania outscored MSJ in points off turnovers and fast break opportunities.
- Transylvania's bench outscored MSJ's bench 40-2.
- The Pioneers performed strong on the defensive end, as MSJ had 19 turnovers, seven coming from Transylvania steals.
- Four Pioneers scored in double figures - Sadie Wurth (13 points, four assists), Makya Grinter (13 points), Samantha Cornelison (11 points, four rebounds) and Riley Flinn (11 points, six steals)

"Celebrating these five seniors with a win was a perfect ending to the day," said Head Coach Hannah Varel. "With an unbelievable 109-7 current record, they have undeniably left their mark on our program. I can't wait to see what else they will accomplish!"

Up Next

Transylvania concludes the regular season at the Clive M. Beck Center on Wednesday, February 19th at 7:00 p.m., hosting HCAC opponent Hanover College. 

Transylvania University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the HCAC. To keep up to date with all of Transylvania Athletics, check out our website at www.transysports.com and follow @TransySports on Instagram.