(LEXINGTON, Ky.) – The Thomas More College men's basketball fell 85-82 to in-state rival Transylvania University tonight (Wednesday, November 16, 2016) in its season opener at the Beck Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

Transylvania jumped out to an early 17-11 lead when Alex Jones made two free-throws with 10:52 to play in the opening half.  The Saints responded with an 18-8 run capped by a jumper by junior guard Michael Griffin (Crestwood, Ky./South Oldham) with 5:51 to play in the half and give Thomas More a 29-25 lead.  The Pioneers closed out the half on a 12-8 run tie the game at 37-37 at halftime after Spencer McKinney made a three-pointer with 44-seconds to play in the first half.

The Pioneers opened the second half on a 19-5 capped by a McKinney tip-in with 14:57 to play in the second half and build a 56-42 lead.  Undaunted, the Saints answered with a 32-14 run to take a 74-70 lead with 4:13 to play in the game when junior forward/center Simon Clifford (Louisville, Ky./DuPont Manual) made two free-throws.  Transylvania closed out the half on a 15-8 run to win the game 85-82.

Sophomore forward Ralph Stone (Shelbyville, Ky./Martha Layne Collins) led the Saints as he recorded a double-double with 21 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.  Four other Saints joined him in double-figure scoring as Clifford had 13 points, junior guard Daniel Williams (Louisville, Ky./Jeffersontown) had 12 points and Griffin finished with 10 points.  Stone, senior guard/forward Sawyer Pauly (Crescent Springs, Ky./Covington Catholic) and sophomore guard Ryne Callahan (Morehead, Ky./Rowan County) each finished the game with three assists.

The Saints return to action on Friday and Saturday (November 18-19) when they host the Coach Jim Connor Classic at the Connor Convocation Center in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.  On Friday, Berry College will play Berea College at 5:30 p.m. and Thomas More will play Midway University at 7:30 p.m.  Then on Saturday, Berry plays Midway at 2 p.m. followed by Thomas More versus Berea at 4 p.m.