Bluffton, OH. – A stirring bid by the Transylvania women's basketball team to advance to the final round of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference was brought to an end by the Bluffton Beavers, 71-60 in the HCAC conference semifinal game Friday.

Needing an automatic bid to clinch an NCAA Tournament berth, the Pioneers' run was stopped a game short of the tournament championship game by the Beavers, ending Transylvania's 2015-16 season at 19-8 overall.

The tournament #4 seed Pioneers arrived to Bluffton seeking a win against Bluffton, the #1 seed and host team in the HCAC tournament. For one half, Transylvania engaged the Beavers in a stifling defensive battle, wrestling their way to a 31-30 score in favor of Bluffton at halftime.

Bluffton began the contest utilizing a zone to smother Transylvania's primary scorers, senior guard Shawn Kolani and senior guard Katelyn Smith. While the Pioneers were held to 11 points in the first quarter, senior Lindsay Hieronymus and freshman Celia Kline (Transylvania's leading scorer on the night with 17 points) stepped up to provide scoring relief as the Pioneers battled along to a 15-11 deficit after one quarter. Sophomore forward Rachel Cox provided Transylvania with extra possessions in the first half with eight rebounds.

Despite the Pioneers shooting just 35 percent in the first compared to 48 percent field goal shooting by the Beavers, Transylvania turned the ball over only once before the halftime break to keep the margin thin.

In the second half the Beavers turned to their interior game and picked up steam. Transylvania's rebounding advantage hit turbulence when Cox was called for her third and fourth fouls within the first three minutes of the second half, relegating her to the bench for the rest of the quarter.

Bluffton began drawing fouls with regularity as the quarter continued, hitting all eight of their free throw shots and going 7-for-12 from the field to grow a 53-46 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Bluffton relied heavily on their posts as the game continued, countering inside scores by Cox with immediate scores to maintain leads of six to 10 points for most of the final quarter. The Pioneers forced their fair shares of turnovers in the fourth quarter but failed to convert on late-game turnovers, instead seeing Bluffton score the other way for pivotal swings of possession.

Hieronymus hit the final shot of her career, a 3-ball at the 3:18 mark of the fourth quarter to draw Transylvania within seven at 65-58. But Transylvania could not make up ground any further the rest of the way and the Beavers hit six free throws down the stretch to grow a 13-point lead and seal their bid to the tournament championship match.      

Bluffton outscored Transylvania 40-30 in the second half, enhancing their inside game to the tune of a 44-26 scoring advantage in the paint for the game.

Kolani finished her final collegiate game with five points, four rebounds, five assists and a steal to round out a fitting all-around career with the Pioneers. Hieronymus ended her career with an 11-point, three rebound, and one assist night, while senior Ali Moreland capped off her final college campaign with seven minutes of gameplay.

Smith wrote the final chapter of her legendary career with 10 points on 3-for-11 shooting, five rebounds, and two assists. After passing former teammate Nicole Coffman on the all-time career scoring list less than two weeks ago, Smith finished her career with 1,986 total points, the new standard for Pioneers total scoring.

Perhaps more importantly, Smith and her three fellow seniors leave a legacy of two NCAA Tournament appearances, an NCAA tournament victory, an undefeated regular season in 2015, and countless memories at Don Lane Court which transcend numbers.

With the win, Bluffton advances to tomorrow night's conference title game on their home floor while the Pioneers head home to reflect on a season packed with resolve amidst injuries, fascinating backcourt play, coaching and player milestones, and an emerging freshman class.

To track the Pioneers during their offseason, follow their official twitter @TUWBX