Pioneers overwhelm Yellow Jackets in HCAC opener

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The shorthanded Yellow Jackets, playing without three regular rotation players, suffered a 93-28 defeat to the number two team in the country Transylvania to open up Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) play Saturday afternoon at the Clive M. Beck Center. 

The 65-point loss for the Yellow Jackets (0-7, 0-1) is the largest defeat in school history and the 28 points scored is the second fewest in a game in school history. The Pioneers (5-0, 1-0) extend their winning streak to 38 games. 

TURNING POINT

Transylvania started the game on a 10-0 run and would go on to take a 30-6 lead after the first quarter. The Pioneers continued to grow their lead throughout the game and held a commanding 58-11 lead at the break. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Pioneers blitzed the Yellow Jackets early and DC was forced to play from behind all game. Transylvania forced 13 Defiance first half turnovers and turned the turnovers into 17 points while having a 30-14 rebounding advantage during the first 20 minutes. With the Yellow Jackets already shorthanded, Katlin Barrett and Taylor Bates both racked up four fouls in the first half.

The Pioneers held the Yellow Jackets to single digit scoring efforts in all four quarters. The biggest scoring run for Transylvania came during the second quarter. It was a 14-0 run that turned a 43-9 lead into a 57-9 lead. A jump shot by Barrett propelled the Yellow Jackets over the 10-point mark with 1:17 remaining in the first half. 

The Pioneers slowed down a bit in the second half but still managed to hold a 35-17 scoring advantage in the final two quarters and would lead by as many as 67 with 42 seconds remaining in the game.

BRINGING THE STING

• Katlin Barrett grabbed a career best two steals in the contest.

• Aliza Clark came down with a career-high seven rebounds.

• Twanasia Graves recorded her first assist in a Defiance uniform.

• Teagan Hunt tied her career high in points with six.

• Mone'a McElroy scored her first collegiate points in the game.

UP NEXT

The Yellow Jackets travel to Hanover on Saturday, Dec. 9 for an HCAC matchup against the Panthers. It's a doubleheader with the men and the women are scheduled to play at approximately 2 p.m. following the men's game at noon.