Lexington, Ky. – The Transylvania men's basketball team deployed a magnificent second half to rocket past the Anderson University Ravens, 71-59 on Saturday evening at the Beck Center.
Trailing by four points at the half, the Pioneers reeled off a 17-1 scoring run over a three and a half minute period early in the second half to take sudden control of the game for good to march to their fifth victory over their last six games.
The Pioneers continued their ascent up the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, improving their conference record to 8-6 and their overall record to 13-8. Anderson dropped to 15-8 and 10-6 in conference play as Transy completed its regular season sweep of the Ravens.
Hunter Penn unfurled an efficient two-way performance with a game-high 20 points and four steals to go with nine rebounds and two blocks off 9 for 12 shooting from the field.
Zach Larimore provided timely scoring with 17 points, four rebounds, and three blocks in a furious second half showing by the Pioneers.
In the first half, both team dug their heels in the trenches as neither side was able to open up a significant lead. The Pioneers shot only 25 percent from the field in the first half but held Anderson to 1 for 6 shooting from downtown to hit the break with only a four-point deficit.
The Ravens used two early scores in the second half to take a 33-26 lead just over one minute into the half. Penn scored on a three-point play and Simon Smith nailed two free throws after taking a hard foul to ignite the 17-1 run. Smith showed off his focus with an ensuing triple and Penn rose again with a fastbreak layup as the Pioneers went in front at 37-34. Penn and Larimore flummoxed the Ravens once more with buckets to complete the breathtaking run en route to a 43-34 lead at the 15:48 mark.
The scoring spurt mirrored a similar run at Anderson in the team's previous meeting on January 15 in an 83-71 win by Transylvania; down by nine points with 9:16 to go in regulation, the Pioneers produced a 17-0 run to clinch the lead for good.
On this Saturday, the Pioneers never relinquished the lead again in the second half, using 51 percent shooting in the final half to pull away from Anderson. Transylvania outscored Anderson in the second half 47-31 in another signature closing display.
Brandon Cromwell led all players with seven assists to go with nine points, adding three of Transylvania's season-high 14 steals on the day.
Transylvania visits Hanover in its next matchup scheduled for Tuesday, February 15 in Hanover, Indiana. Tip-off between the rivals is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from Collier Arena.
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