(LEXINGTON, Ky.) - The Thomas More College men's basketball team defeated in-state rival Transylvania University, 75-69, today (Wednesday, December 31, 2014) in a non-conference game at the Beck Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

With the win, the Saints improve to 7-4 and with the loss, the Pioneers fall to 4-6.

Thomas More jumped out to a 24-12 lead when freshman center Louis Maniacci (Burlington, Ky./Copper) made a lay-up with 8:28 to play in the first half.  Transylvania responded with a 14-7 run to cut the lead to 31-29 with 2:03 to play in the opening half when Alex Jones made a jumper.  The Saints closed out the half on a 7-0 run to take a 38-26 lead at halftime when senior forward Jalen Clark (Frankfort, Ky./Western Hills) made a lay-up with 31-seconds to play in the first half.

The Pioneers opened the second half on a 17-9 run to cut the lead to 47-43 with 13:27 to play in the game when Sam Sergeant made one-of-two free-throws.  Thomas More answered with a 12-6 run capped by a lay-up by senior forward Drew Mumford (Louisville, Ky./Christian Academy) with 9:19 to play in the second half.  Transylvania used a 14-5 run to cut the lead to 64-63 on a Parker Stansberry tip-in with 3:39 to play in the game.  That would be as close as Transylvania would come as the Saints closed out the game on an 11-6 run for the 75-69 victory.

Maniacci recorded his first career double-double as he scored 10 points and pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.  Joining him in double-figure scoring was Mumford with 18 points and sophomore guard forward Nate McGovney (Alexandria, Ky./Campbell County) with 16.  Sophomore guard Drew Mays (Union, Ky./Ryle) led the team in assists with six.

The Saints return to action on Saturday (January 3, 2015) when they host Thiel College at 3 p.m. at the Connor Convocation Center in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.