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


LEXINGTON, KY - Transylvania advanced to the finals of the 2026 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Tournament on Saturday, defeating Mount St. Joseph 61-55. 

Sierra Kemelgor led the way for the Pioneers, scoring 26 points - including a late dagger three-pointer that gave Transylvania a two-point lead with less than a minute remaining. 

After a back and forth first half that led to a 27-27 halftime score, Mount St. Joseph took a five point lead in the third quarter. Transylvania would rally back, with a made basket through contact from Raegan Barrett tying the score with just over two minutes remaining in the third. The Lions responded with a basket to retake the lead, but Kemelgor would score consecutive jumpers in the final minute to retake the lead for the Pioneers. 

Hannah Glisson scored on a basket to start the fourth quarter, drawing a foul and scoring the free-throw to give Transylvania a five point lead. The Lions would retake the lead at 47-45, but Kemelgor would score to tie the score with just under five minutes remaining. Bella Crawford scored a three-pointer for the Lions to take a three-point advantage as the game began to go down to the final minutes, but Kemelgor would score from the free-throw line to keep the Pioneers within a single possession of the Lions. Crawford scored on a fastbreak to the basket to push the lead back to three with just over two minutes remaining for Mount St. Joseph, but a corner three-pointer from Mackenzie Lombardi would tie the score for the Pioneers at 52-52 with 01:47 remaining. Kemelgor would come up with a steal on the next possession, drawing a foul and scoring at the free-throw line. Morgan Jenkins would retake the lead for Mount St. Joseph with just over a minute remaining, scoring a three-pointer with 01:19 on the clock. With 0:55 remaining on the clock, Kemelgor scored another three-pointer to put the Pioneers ahead by two. Makya Grinter would steal the ball on the next possession, scoring on a fastbreak drive to seal the win for Transylvania. 

Transylvania will play the winner of Friday's second semifinal match up between Anderson and Franklin, with the Women's Championship taking place at 3:00 on Saturday at the Clive M. Beck Center. 

Transylvania University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Stay updated at transysports.com and follow @TransySports on Instagram.