ST.LOUIS, Mo.—A stellar 2014-15 campaign came to an end for the 20th-ranked Transylvania University women's basketball team with an 80-73 loss to Wittenberg University Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Division III women's basketball tournament.
Transylvania opened the second half on a 7-2 quickly erasing Wittenberg's five-point half time lead, after junior Katelyn Smith knocked down a three-pointer from the corner to shift momentum in favor of the Pioneers.
On the ensuing possession, the Pioneer defense came up with a timely stop, before senior Alex McKenzie laid it in to even the score at 33 apiece. Wittenberg shortly regained the lead on its next trip down the floor, before Smith found the basket to tie the game at 35.
Wittenberg's Heather Schroeder connected on a jumper to start a 10-0 Tiger run that the Pioneers could not overcome. Transylvania narrowed the deficit numerous times, pulling within two but were unable to regain the lead for the remainder of the contest.
The Pioneers got on the board first, as Smith pulled down a defensive rebound following a missed three-pointer from Wittenberg. Sophomore Jordin Fender drew the foul and knocked down 1-of-2 from the line to give Transylvania a 1-0 lead just over a minute into play.
The Tigers outscored the Transylvania 19-8 over the next 8:08 to take a 19-9 lead. However, a critical defensive rebound from junior Lindsey Hieronymus helped spark a 6-0 Transylvania run pulling the Pioneers back within two, 21-19, with 7:33 left in the half.
McKenzie found Coffman for the bucket at the 8:41 mark for the first of three straight Coffman baskets for the Pioneers. After Wittenberg rebuilt its lead to six, the Pioneers again chipped away as time in the first half wound down.
Fender connected with Coffman to close the Tiger lead back to two with 3:12 in the half, but Wittenberg held off the Pioneer run and carried a 33-28 lead into the locker room.
Coffman and Smith led Transylvania with 20 and 19, respectively, while three other Pioneers scored in double digits.
The Pioneers set a new program record with 17 consecutive wins to start the season, while claiming their third consecutive regular season Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship.
Coffman became the program's all-time leading scorer this season, while McKenzie became the eighth in program history to tally 1,000 points along with 500 rebounds. Smith became the newest member of the 1,000 point club before being named the HCAC Most Valuable Player.
Transylvania has made the NCAA tournament in each of the past two seasons and now has five total appearances.