Box Score

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Transylvania raced to an early lead over St. Mary of the Woods Monday and went on to a 78-66 win in first round play in the Pat Deacon-Hilliard Lyons Invitational at the Beck Center.

The Pioneers, who captured head coach Greg Todd's 100th career win with the program, improved to 4-5, while St. Mary of the Woods is 6-5.

The Pioneers will play the winner of the second game between Kenyon (7-2) and Maryville (4-3) at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Beck Center, following the consolation game.

Todd reached the coaching milestone in fewer games than any of his predecessors.

Transy carved out a 17-point advantage late in the first half before setting for a 43-29 edge at intermission. Alex McKenzie had 12 points and five boards at the half while Charli Fant knocked in 10 points off the bench, hitting all three of her shots from the field while going four of four from the free throw line. Jariana Gillespie had four points and five assists over the first 20 minutes.

Transy held SMWC to 24 percent shooting in the first half (nine of 26), which included a five of 10 effort from long range. The Pioneers were at 14 of 33 (42l.4 percent and converted 14 of 15 freee thows. Transy had just nine turnovers comp[ared to 16 for the visitors, which were turned into 21 points.

Transy finished the game shooting 37.7 percent for the game, while the visitors were at 33.3 percent. The Pioneers were 31 of 40 from the free throw line overall while SMWC notched 20 of 27. McKenzie finished with a double double with 18 points and 11 rebounds while Gillespie had 15 points and six assists.

Terra Lucas was eight of 10 from the free throw line for 13 points to go with five rebounds and six steals. Fant finished with 12 points and Valerie Whitlock and Nicole Coffman had eight apiece. Coffman also had seven rebounds. Brittany Shaner led St. Mary of the Woods with 18 points and Chelsea Weaver added 16 points and eight rebounds.

Transy's bench outscored the visitors, 24-6, and the Pioneers converted 29 turnovers into 34 points.