Box Score

LEXINGTON, Ky .- Tate Cox had a career night and Ethan Spurlin added a double-double to guide Transy past Anderson 82-67 on Saturday night at the Beck Center.

The Pioneers (4-0, 1-0 HCAC), who are 15-2 in their last 17 games at home, were led by a first-half blitz that included 11 three-pointers, building a 46-32 halftime lead over the Ravens, who fell to 4-4, 1-1 in HCAC play.

"We got off to a really good start tonight against a team that swept us last year," said head coach Brian Lane. "It had the feel of a late-season conference game."

Cox finished the game with a career-high 26 points on 7 for 10 shooting (5-8 from beyond the arc), edging his previous high of 24 against Manchester last February. He made all seven of his free throws.

"Tate gave us a great lift early and did a fantastic job not forcing anything," said Lane. "He's so strong when he takes it to the basket and he always makes his free throws. He did a tremendous job playing hard on the defensive end as well."

Spurlin also had a fantastic night for the Pioneers, notching a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Cox and Spurlin were joined in double-figures by Barrett Meyer (16 points) and Chris Owens (14).

Anderson was led by a career night of their own, from junior Phil Hogan. The Indianapolis native poured in 40 points for the Ravens, including eight three pointers. "We didn't have an answer for Hogan," said Lane, "but we were fortunate to be able to handle some of their other scorers, which was huge."

Anderson cut the Transy advantage to 62-59 with just under five minutes to go, but the Pioneers answered with a clutch 20-7 run of their own to close it out. "We did a great job making free throws and with our assist-to-turnover ratio," Lane said. The Pioneers had 15 asssits to just eight turnovers on the night.

"We've been very balanced so far this season, and I've told our guys, that's the mark of a really good team," Lane added, "that's the mark of a great team."

Transy travels to Richmond, Ind., on Wednesday for a matchup with HCAC foe Earlham. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.