Box Score

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Transylvania scored the first nine points of the second half to break open a tight contest and knocked off Hanover 72-67 on Wednesday  at the Beck Center.

In a matchup of HCAC co-leaders, the Pioneers (12-2, 6-1 HCAC) trailed 40-39 at the half, due in large part to shooting 6-for-7 from three-point range from Hanover, who fell to 9-4, 5-2 in the conference. Rose-Hulman (12-2, 6-1 HCAC) remained tied with the Pioneers for the conference lead.

The game turned when, trailing 38-29, head coach Brian Lane subbed in Matthew Clevenger, Tommy Sirkin,Trey Beuttel and Michael Stone with 4:12 to go in the first half. Their defensive intensity spurred the Pioneers to draw within one point by halftime.

Transy would hold Hanover to 10-for-27 shooting (2-for-9 from three) in the final 20 minutes.

The Pioneers scored the first nine points of the second half en route to a 27-10 run that pushed them ahead by a game-high 16 points.

Ethan Spurlin led the Pioneers with 26 points on the night, which has become customary for the reigning HCAC Player of the Week. In his past three games, the junior has scored 77 points, averaging 25.7 per contest. He has made 22 of 24 free throws in that span.

Barrett Meyer scored 15 points and dished out four assists, and was joined in double figures by Brandon Rash, who added ten points, four rebounds and three assists.

Transy came into the matchup in a three-way tie for first place in the HCAC with Hanover and Rose-Hulman, whom the Pioneers host on Saturday.

Transy faces the Engineers on Saturday at the Beck Center, with tip-off set for 3 p.m.