BLUFFTON, Ohio. --- The Transylvania University Women's basketball team opened up Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action on the road today to take on rival Bluffton.  The Pioneers looked to get back in the winning column after a one game slide from a loss in the Pat Deacon Classic.

The first quarter was marked with low scoring as both teams getting good shots at the basket but not having luck converting.  The Pioneers would shoot 30 percent from the field but would find themselves trailing 12-9 at the end of the first.  The second would be slightly better as the Pioneers would score 18 in the second but would trail by two going into halftime, 29-27.   Kristen Hayes and Shelby Gransbery would lead the team in scoring with seven and six points respectfully. 

The third quarter would see both teams battle trading baskets but seeing the host Bluffton shooting 39 percent from the field to lead at the break, 52-42. Rachel Cox would help keep the Pioneers close by nabbing four rebounds in the quarter with three of those being on the offensive end.   Despite nine points from Hayes in the fourth and Gransbery adding an additional four, the Pioneers would outscore Bluffton but fall by the final score of 65-61. 

Hayes would lead all Pioneer scorers with 21 for the game, with Gransbery adding 10.  Celia Kline would add eight points to round out the top three.  Rachel Cox would grab a game-high 17 rebounds in the contest, with five offensive boards.  She would add three blocks on the night. 

The Pioneers (3-3, 0-1 HCAC) will return to action at the Clive M. Beck center of Saturday, December 12 in conference play against Anderson, Ind. as part of a doubleheader with the Men's team.  Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00p.m.