LEXINGTON, Ky.—The 15th-ranked Transylvania Pioneers claimed their third straight Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season title with a 96-49 victory over the Bluffton University Beavers Saturday at the Clive M. Beck Center.

With the win, the Pioneers improved to 24-1 on the season and 18-0 in the HCAC.

Five seniors started for Transylvania, and with the score tied at six with four minutes gone, it was senior Chelsea Pharris who nailed a three-pointer to put the Pioneers on top at 9-6, a lead the Pioneers would not relinquish. Transylvania closed the half on a 35-13 run and led 41-19 at the intermission.

Following the break, the Pioneers refused to let the Beavers close the gap and a Nicole Coffman bucket with 14:41 left in the game extended the Transylvania lead to 30 at 56-26. In the second half, Bluffton would get no closer than 22 points, and it was defense that keyed the Pioneer rout.

For the game, the Transylvania defense forced 15 turnovers that led to 24 Pioneer points. The Pioneers also held the Beavers to just 33 percent shooting (18-of-54) from the floor, including just 27 percent (3-of-11) from behind the three-point line.

On offense, Transylvania shot 55 percent (34-of-62) from the field, including 57 percent (12-of-21) from behind-the-arc. The Pioneers also recorded 23 assists on 34 made baskets.

For the game, Transylvania had five players hit double figures. The Pioneers were led by Katelyn Smith's 14 points, while sophomore Jordin Fender finished with 13 points. Senior Alex McKenzie scored 11 points, as senior Coffman finished with 10 points and Hannah Neeley added 10 points off the bench. The visiting Beavers were led by Rachel Beining who finished with a game-high 16 points.

The Pioneers return to the hardwood at the Clive M. Beck Center for the HCAC Tournament. Tournament details will be announced at a later date.