LEXINGTON, Ky.—The Transylvania University women's basketball game won its first of two weekend games in dominating fashion, beating the Covenant University Scots 90-54. It was the Pioneers' third win in a row to start the season.

The Pioneers started the game strong, jumping out to an early 14-5 lead after the first five minutes. Senior guard Nicole Coffman paced the Pioneers with eight points in that surge after knocking down several three-pointers. Junior guard Katelyn Smith and sophomore guard Jordin fender added three-point jumpers to help the Pioneers build their early margin.

The Scots would press the Pioneers' second unit and close the gap after forcing several turnovers, bringing the score to 17-12 with 12 minutes remaining. Layups from Koffman, Fender and four points from senior center Elizabeth Thomas would push the Pioneers to a 13 point lead at the ten minute mark. Transy would continue to push the issue, dominating the boards and extending to 27-12 lead with 8:39 and forcing a Covenant timeout.

Out of the timeout, a Pioneer press would force several quick jumpers and turnovers for Scots and Transylvania continued to build a commanding lead. Fender would dive on a loose ball near midcourt before dishing to freshman forward Rachel Cox, who would dump the ball to Coffman in transition. On the ensuing inbounds pass, Fender stole the ball and was fouled on her layup attempt. After sinking one of her free throws, Transy sat with a 32-12 lead and capping a 15-0 run for the Pioneers.

Covenant scored six unanswered points but Transy would respond with a three-point play from senior forward Alex McKenzie and a fast break layup from freshman forward Carlee Clemons and would continue to dominate the Scots on the defensive side of the ball, closing the half on a 14-5 run. After the first half, Transylvania led 46-23. The Pioneers shot a blistering 56% in the first 20 minutes en route to their wide halftime margin.

After the half, Transy would build their lead quickly, expanding their lead to 57-31 after the first five minutes behind buckets from Coffman and Fender and free throws from Fender. The Pioneers would pour it on in the next five minutes, going on another big run, outscoring Covenant 12-3 between 15:00 and 9:18. After a Scot turnover and a layup from Transylvania took a 31 point lead with seven minutes remaining.

The rest of the game was much of the same as the Pioneers continued to pound away at the paint while sinking several perimeter shots. With 2:45 left, Cox hit a jump shot to give Transylvania an 85-49 lead. Two free throws from junior guard Ali Moreland with 42 seconds left would be the Pioneers' final score and give them their winning margin, 90-54.

Transylvania dominated in all fashions of the game. Offensively, the Pioneers shot 55% from the floor, including 33% from three-point range while holding the Scots to 30% from the field. In addition, Transy out rebounded Covenant by 17, pulling in 48 total rebounds, including 16 offensive boards. The widest and most convincing statistical margin for the Pioneers came in the paint, where they scored 52 points and held the Scots to just 14.

Four players score in double figures for the Pioneers, including 17 from Coffman, Fender's 10, 12 from Hieronymus and 10 from sophomore guard Hannah Neeley.

"We shot the basketball very well, which helped get things going early," said head coach Juli Fulks. "That help bring up energy to the whole group."

With the win, Transy moves to 3-0 on the season. They will look to pick up another win on Saturday, Nov. 22 against Mount Union College at the Beck Center on Transylvania's campus.