LAS VEGAS, Nev. - It took an overtime period in the desert on Wedneday, but the Transylanvia men defeated La Verne 73-64 in the D3hoops.com Classic in Las Vegas, Nev., running its season-opening win streak to 10 games in a row.

The Pioneers are 10-0, matching the best start in school history, while the Leoparards, winners of three of their last four coming into action, are 3-6. The Invitational brings together some of the top programs in NCAA Division III basketball. Transy successfully succeeded in the best start in school history. The 1990-91 squad also won its first 10 games of the season.

Junior Brandon Rash paced Transy with 21 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Barrett Meyer added 19 points, including 14 in the first half. He also had two assists and five boards. Tate Cox finished with 10 points, three assists, and four rebounds.

LaVerne outshot Transy by a 53.5 to 46.2 percent margin, but the Pioneers forced 24 turnovers. There were 18 lead changes in the tight contest and 12 ties.

Meyer missed a shot at the buzzer that could have ended the contest in regulation, but the Pioneers scored the first eight points in overtime and forced four La Verne turnovers in the final five minutes to avoid the upset.

Austin Napolitano had 24 points to lead La Verne.

Transy is back in action in Las Vegas on Thursday when it takes on Gustavus Adolphus at 9 p.m. PST. Gustavus (5-3) handed Hardin-Simmons its first loss of the year by a 71-69 margin on Wednesday.