By: Nick Taflinger, sports information assistant

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Bluffton University women's basketball team was defeated by Transylvania, 74-38, on Saturday, Dec. 1. The loss dropped the Beavers to 1-5 on the season (0-1 in HCAC contests). Transylvania University improved to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the HCAC. 

Both teams got off to a sluggish start from the field as the Pioneers held a 10-5 lead with two minutes left in the first quarter. Transylvania picked up the pace as the home team went on a 7-0 run to make the score 17-5 at the end of period one. The scoring picked up for both teams as the Beavers put up 17 points in the second quarter, while the Pioneers went for 20 points. Kylie Brock (Villa Hills, KY/Dixie Heights) netted five points in the period, helping to contribute valuable minutes off the bench for the Beavers who trailed 37-22 at the break.

The third quarter was a struggle for the Beavers as they managed just six points thanks to six turnovers in the period. Bluffton trailed 56-28 at the end of three. Transy capped off its dominating 74-38 victory with an 18-10 advantage in quarter four.

The Beavers were led by freshman guard Brianna Gillig (New Riegel) who scored nine points while going 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Other contributors for the Beavers included Brock and Breanna Graham (Springboro) who both scored seven points.

The Pioneers had three ladies reach double digits in scoring. Kristen Hayes led the way with 13 points. Shelby Boyle scored 12 points in the game while going 5-for-6 at the free throw line. Taylor Jackson also added 12 points, going 5-of-5 from the field. Zenoviah Walker led the Pioneers in rebounds (9) and assists (5).

The visitors shot 28.9 percent for the game, going 13-of-45. The Pioneers went 26-of-56 from the field, making 46.4 percent of their shots. Bluffton struggled from three-point line as the Beavers were 5-of-18 for 27.8 percent. Transylvania was outstanding from distance, connecting on 11-of-20 for 55 percent. The Pioneers outrebounded the Beavers 37-24 and handed out 11 more assists (18-7).

Bluffton will get a chance for its first conference win of the season on Wednesday, Dec. 5, when the women welcome Earlham College to the Sommer Center at 7:30 P.M. Come out and support the Beavers!

-BEAVERS-