BLUFFTON, Ohio—Despite a relentless effort by the Transylvania defense, the Bluffton University Beavers edged the Pioneers, 72-65, Saturday in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup at the Sommer Center.
The opening possession of the game set the tone for the Pioneer defense early, as freshman Sam Sergeant picked the pocket of Bluffton's Thayne Reckner. The forced turnover led to a bucket from sophomore guard Alex Jones and gave the Pioneers a 2-0 lead.
The Beavers converted on a three-pointer their next trip down the floor, but the Pioneer defense remained relentless, logging four steals on four consecutive Bluffton possessions. Transylvania capitalized off the extra possessions as they held a 10-3 lead with 14:56 left in the first half.
Bluffton knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to close in on the Pioneer lead, 10-9. Following a Transylvania timeout, the Pioneers sparked an 8-2 run. Jones found freshman Tristan Burgessfor a long ball to put Transylvania up 18-11 with 8:47 remaining.
The Pioneers held the Beavers at bay through the rest of the first half, as Transylvania carried a 32-29 lead into the locker room.
A big three-pointer from freshman Dillon Pulliam put the Pioneers up 35-29 to open the second half, before Jones and Sergeant added buckets giving Transylvania a 10-point lead, its largest of the night.
Bluffton's offense ignited thanks to back-to-back three-pointers from Austin Rohde narrowing the Pioneer lead to 39-35. The Beavers regained the lead with 13:12 left after Austin Moore knocked down another from behind-the-arc.
Sergeant converted an old-fashioned three-point play following a foul on a made jumper to give to Pioneers the lead at 44-42. Another basket from Rohde, again, tied the game but Sergeant found junior Parker Stansberry for the three-pointer and the lead.
Bluffton regained the lead with 11:02 showing on the clock when Joshua Woodrich drained a three to give the Beavers the lead for good. The Pioneers, however, did not give up.
"They were able to get the lead in the second half off three possession where they got offensive rebounds," head coach Brian Lane said.
Trailing 61-51 with 5:16 left, Stansberry knocked down another long ball pulling the Pioneers back to within eight. Minutes later, back-to-back baskets by Jones kept the Beaver lead within reach, at 10, with 3:03 left to play.
Sergeant forced another turnover and hit two free throws narrowing the lead back to nine with under two minutes left to play. Another Bluffton turnover gave the Pioneers possession and Jones drained a jumper and the foul to close the lead to six.
Pulliam went to the line with 49 seconds left knocking down one to close in on the Bluffton lead to, but Beavers held on for the win.
Jones led all scorers with a game-high 23 points, along with four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Sergeant added 12 points, five assists and three steals, while Pulliam finished with 13 points for the Pioneers.
"We were able to do exactly what we wanted defensively and neutralize the league's leading scorer and rebounder for a half," Lane said. "To Bluffton's credit, some of their guards made some key baskets and were able to get the lead in the second half."
"I was happy with our effort throughout the game and really believe we continue to get better as the season progresses," Lane added. "We just have to find a little extra to start winning on the road in the HCAC."
The Pioneers host Franklin College Wednesday in another HCAC contest. Wednesday's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.