Our Pioneers traveled up to Earlham for their last regular season game as the Quakers and Bats finalized HCAC play. This regular season has provided a lot for the Pioneers in a variety of ways, learning each other's play styles and coming together as a team on both sides of the court. Coach Lane looks to have the final defining features after this game so trends and players who are hot will be in the postseason.     

In the first half the Pioneers were ready for action controlling the lead for all but 20 seconds of this half. Dakota Capps who has always been a pass first guard decided to try his luck in the scoring category getting his first shot and the teams to get the offense going. From then on the offense did its thing finding opportunities to hit Colby Napier who was feeling himself this whole game. However in the first he was able to get 15 points which is what allowed the Pioneers to contain the Quakers and settle in defensively. Shooting 57% from 3 and 48% from the field combined with more than double the rebounds than Earlham was the recipe for such a great half. Along with contribution off the bench, freshman forward, Walker Kyle helped the Pios with floor stretching and rebounding as the Pios went into halftime up 43-39.

In the second half the Pioneers continued their machine-like play with more scoring leading in assists showing more of how our players trust each other to do their job. Colby Napier continued his fantastic game as he knows when his hand is hot continuing to assault the basket ending the game with 33 points. With the Pios holding the lead this whole half free throw shooting became an important aspect to finishing the game, the Pioneers however were up to the challenge finishing the game 21-27FT. Second chance points was another major category the Pioneers filled up which compliments the dedication Transy has shown all year to establishing a paint presence even if they aren't getting shots to fall. Matthew Teague has had another fantastic game today as he has become the most effective player off the bench for the Pioneers filling the stat sheet in every category most nights, nearly a triple double tonight. Showing up to every game with plenty of energy and the disposition to get rebounds and assists have made him an integral part of the team especially closing games where he is a swiss army knife. Tonight ended in favor of Transy where they won 78-69.

After the game Head Coach Brian Lane had this to say:

"We went into the game focused on keeping Earlham off  the offensive glass .  We were able to out rebound them both On the offensive and defensive boards.   Colby Napier was terrific down the stretch and played one of his tougher games.  Matthew Teague had a solid floor game with a near triple double.   Our 18 assists on 25 made field goals was another impressive number.  We will travel back to Lexington tonight and let the guys sleep in then practice and head to Terre Haute for our first round game versus Rose-Hulman on Sunday" 

• Colby Napier: career high 33 points, career high 8 rebounds, career high 9-9 FT,

• Matthew Teague: 11 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds

• Alex Madson: career high in rebounds, career high in blocks, 5 points  

With the regular season ending tonight the Pioneers will enter the HCAC Tournament which takes place in Terre Haute Indiana where the Pioneers will take on Rose-Hulman, Sunday @4PM. The Pioneers have a lot of potential in the postseason as they have proven themselves tonight as well as show what a strong game plan can lead to.       

For more information on Transylvania men's basketball, follow @TransyHoops on Twitter.