By: Nathan Zuercher, sports information assistant

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Beavers had a tough one on Saturday, Feb. 20, in Lexington, Ky. Bluffton bested the visiting Pioneers on Thursday night in the Sommer Center, but Transy returned the favor in the Beck Center. The Pioneers improved to 11-6 with a convincing 75-57 victory, while Bluffton slipped to 14-5 on the season.

The Beavers fell behind quickly, not having an answer for the Pioneer offense. Emma Saltzman (Arcadia) tried to keep the women close, but Transy opened a 20-10 lead at the end of the first. Brianna Gillig (New Riegel) got going in the second, making a couple layups and a 3-pointer to give her nine in the period. Freshman point guard Maddie Fitzpatrick (Mount Gilead) added four points in the opening half. Going into the break the Beavers trailed 49-31 as Transy drained six triples in the first 20 minutes.

Fitzpatrick and backcourt partner Nora Hemminger (McComb) made a pair of threes in period three. Gillig was smooth from the charity stripe, knocking down 5-of-6 freebies. The fourth was Bluffton's best quarter as Transylvania emptied its bench. The visitors outscored the Pioneers 15-12, but it was too little, too late. Saltzman had three points in the quarter, while senior Abbie Parkins (Bluffton) had a pair of free throws.

Gillig topped the Bluffton scoring column with 15 points and Saltzman scored double digits as well with 12. The two of them tied for a team high rebounding honors with seven apiece. GIllig's seven caroms leaves her just one shy of 500 for her career. Taylor Malson (Castalia/Margaretta) handed out two assists.

Bluffton hit just 21-of-67 (31.3 percent) from the field, including a paltry 8-for-34 (23.5 percent) from distance. Transylvania pulled down three more rebounds (42-29) and the Pioneers finished with a 38-28 edge in paint points.

The Beavers will now wait until Sunday night to find out their seed for upcoming HCAC tournament that was determined by a blind draw weeks ago.

-BEAVERS-