LEXINGTON, Ky.—An 11-point first half lead helped propel the Maryville College (Tenn.) Scots over the No. 16 Transylvania University women's basketball team Saturday at the Clive M. Beck Center. Despite a strong defensive effort from the Pioneers, the Scots shot 51 percent from the field on their way to a 74-59 win in the championship game of the Pat Deacon Classic.

The Pioneers got out of the gate quickly, opening a 7-0 lead behind baskets by Jordin Fender, Katelyn Smith and Nicole Coffman. In a game of runs, the Scots answered with a 7-0 run of their own to tie the game at 9-9. Later in the first half, Transylvania took a 17-16 lead on a bucket by Smith, but another 7-0 run by Maryville put the Scots up 23-17 with just over six minutes left in the half. A 9-2 Scots' run put Maryville up 32-19 before a Hannah Neeley three-pointer cut the lead to 10 with 2:30 remaining in the half. By the end of the first half, Maryville had pushed the lead back to 11 at 38-27.

For the half, the Pioneers were led by Smith's 12 points. Coffman added five points for the Pioneers, but Maryville shot 49 percent from the field, including 57 percent from behind the arc. Lauren Trent led Maryville with 11 points in the first half.

In the second half, Maryville opened with a 5-0 run and never looked back. The Pioneers closed to within 10 at 45-35, but timely baskets and 13 second half points by Mackenzie Puckett enabled the Scots to hold on for the 15 point victory, 74-59.

"We came out and played really hard and forced Maryville into a lot of tough shots," head coach Juli Fulks said. "Credit them, as they converted several times in difficult situation and made several threes to hold off our run."

For the game, the Pioneers were led by Smith's 25 points while Coffman hit double figures with 10 points.  Fender added 9 points as Transylvania dropped their first contest this season, falling to 8-1.

The Scots finished with four players in double figures, led by Mackenzie Puckett's 19 points. Mindy Brackens finished with 15 points. Trent had 13 points, and Rachel Hawn added 10 points for the visitors.

Transylvania (8-1) entered Saturday's game looking for their ninth consecutive victory and third straight Pat Deacon title. While Transylvania got off to a hot start, it was the hot-shooting of the underrated Scots that made the difference. Maryville (7-1) has been on the brink of the top 25 rankings this season, largely due to their efficient shooting.

In the consolation game of the 2014 Pat Deacon Classic, the Bridgewater (Va.) Eagles used a 17-2 run to open the second half in their 79-62 victory over the undermanned Blackburn (Ill.) Beavers.

Bridgewater, who had four starters in double figures, was led by Cassidy Burkholder with 20 points. Oshene Kelley and Jessica Lam finished with 15 points each, and Heather Cantrell added 11 points for the Eagles (4-5).

Blackburn was led by Briana Rae. Rae recorded a double-double in the first half and finished with 29 points and 20 rebounds. Casey Fellin added 12 points for the Beavers (0-9).

The Pioneers will travel to Oglethorpe on Tuesday, Dec. 30 and Anderson on Saturday, Jan. 3 in their next two matchups before returning home to take on Hanover Wednesday, Jan. 7.