Lexington, Ky. – The Transylvania men's basketball team has automatically advanced into the HCAC Tournament semifinals and will host the Hanover College Panthers on Saturday, March 6 at 1:00 p.m. at the Beck Center in the 2021 HCAC Semifinals.

After both of Transy's potential quarterfinal opponents were forced to bow out of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament on its side of the bracket due to conference health and safety protocol standards, the Pioneers now look ahead to hosting a conference semifinal matchup on Saturday.

The circumstances create a de facto double bye in the conference tournament, setting up the third meeting of the season between Transylvania and Hanover. Each team won their home regular season game against the other with Transylvania beating Hanover 89-84 in overtime on February 11 at the Beck Center. Hanover returned the favor to the Pioneers on February 13 with a 94-65 win at Collier Arena in Hanover, Indiana.

The winner of Saturday's HCAC semifinal will advance to the HCAC Championship game next Wednesday, March 10 at a time to be announced.

The Pioneers enter the HCAC Tournament having won seven of their last nine games on the season. After enjoying extended time between the last game of the regular season and Saturday's tournament game, the Pioneers will be playing their first game in 14 days. Hanover is coming of a 101-70 win over Defiance College this past Wednesday.

Saturday's matchup pits a battle of the last two HCAC Tournament champions and marks the first time in two years that Transylvania (7-8 overall, 7-3 vs. HCAC opponents) and Hanover (8-4 overall) have squared off in the HCAC Tournament. Hanover defeated Transylvania in the dramatic 2019 HCAC Championship, 76-73.

Transylvania begins its 2021 HCAC Tournament run as the reigning HCAC Tournament champions after defeating Rose-Hulman 49-48 in last year's title game at the Beck Center.

Under 20^th year head coach Brian Lane, the Pioneers are led by a veteran-studded lineup of senior forward Lucas Gentry (15.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 45% FG, 41% 3-pt FG), junior forward Zach Larimore (16.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 47% FG, 43% 3-pt FG), senior forward Dominique Turner (8.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 50% FG, 50% 3-pt FG), and senior guard Michael Jefferson (5.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 36% FG).

Hanover is led by senior wing Mark Albers (13.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 51% FG), sophomore guard Ty Houston (13.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.1 bpg, 48% FG, 38% 3-pt FG), and senior center Connor Washburn (8.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 68% FG). Panthers head coach Jon Miller is in his 13^th year at the helm of the Hanover men's basketball team.

Saturday's HCAC Tournament game will be carried live on the Transy Sports Network.

HCAC 2021 Men's Basketball Tournament remaining schedule
Saturday, March 6 – HCAC Semifinals
1:00 p.m. - #3 Hanover vs. #2 Transylvania

Sunday, March 7 – HCAC Semifinals
3:00 p.m. – #5 Franklin vs. #1 Manchester
 
Wednesday, March 10 - HCAC Championship 
Time TBA - Semifinal winner #1 vs. Semifinal winner #2
 
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