CINCINNATI, Ohio—The 15th ranked Transylvania University women's basketball cruised to an 80-40 win over Mount St. Joseph University Wednesday at the Harrington Center to improve 19-1 on the season.
The Pioneers controlled the contest as Transylvania continued its impressive Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference road winning streak to 26 games.
The Lions got on the board with a basket in the first minute, before the teams notched at five a piece less than five minutes into play. Transylvania took a 7-5 lead with a bucket from senior Nicole Coffman at the 14:42 mark and never looked back.
Sophomore Jordin Fender netted back-to-back baskets, before sophomore Hannah Neeley converted from behind-the-arc for her first of seven points on the night.
A layup from junior Katelyn Smith capped a 21-5 Transylvania run with 6:19 to go putting the Pioneers up 28-13. A made jumper from junior Chelsea Pharris extended the Pioneer lead to 32-18, before Pharris knocked down a three-pointer following an offensive rebound from senior Kayla Dobson.
The Pioneers did not let down in the second half, as senior Alex McKenzie converted on the opening possession of the half. Coffman netted another long ball to put Transylvania up 21, 44-23, with 18:33 on the clock.
Transylvania limited the Lions' offense to 19 points in the second half on its way to a 40-point win, its largest of the season. The Pioneers dominated inside, pulling down 46 rebounds to just 26 by the Lions, along with 46 points in the paint. Transylvania currently ranks third nationally in rebounding margin averaging 13.1 rebounds more than its opponents thus far this season.
The Pioneers' bench added 36 points in the win as the team shot 55 percent (33-of-60) from the floor on converted 33 percent (6-of-18) from behind-the-arc.
Fender led the Pioneers with 13 points, as Smith and McKenzie finished with 11 points each. McKenzie, along with senior Kayla Dobson added eight rebounds apiece in the win.
Transylvania looks to stay undefeated in HCAC play, as the Pioneers host Anderson University (1-19, 0-13 HCAC). Saturday's tip is set for 2 p.m.
Live stats and live video are available for Saturday's game here.