Lexington, Ky. - The No. 3 Transylvania women's basketball team produced another signature defensive performance in routing the Bluffton University Beavers, 63-36 on Saturday afternoon at the Beck Center.
Transylvania stayed perfect on the season at 16-0 overall and 8-0 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play while Bluffton dropped to 7-4 in conference play and 12-6 overall.
The Pioneers held an opponent to a season-low 36 points for the second straight game and the third time this season with a potent defensive second half effort to churn out the palindrome result.
Using a dynamic punch of offense in the first 10 minutes, the Pioneers built a 20-14 advantage and never looked back, dictating second half pace to hold Bluffton to 2 of 19 shooting in the final two quarters. Transy held Bluffton to 1 for 9 shooting from the floor in the third quarter and 1 for 10 shooting from the field in the fourth quarter, limiting the Beavers to just 12 points in the second half.
Laken Ball scored eight of her 13 points in the opening quarter, which included two 3-pointers from the junior, along with four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Madison Kellione led the Pioneers with a game-high 15 points, tallying four assists, and four rebounds. Kennedi Stacy added a spark in the backcourt with 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Dasia Thornton amassed 10 points, six rebounds, three blocks, one assist, and one steal on 4 of 6 field goal shooting.
The Pioneers forced the Beavers into 26 turnovers which the home team converted into 22 points on the day and won the battle of the paint, 32 to 16.
Saturday's win marked the 10th victory of the season by 20 points or more for the Pioneers.
Transylvania next turns its attention to the Franklin College Grizzlies in a Wednesday, February 2 matchup at the Beck Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Lexington.
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