Dalton Christopher
Assistant Athletic Director - Communications and Media
dchristopher@transy.edu

LEXINGTON, KY - Colby Napier's late three-pointer in regulation sent the Pioneers on their way to an overtime victory over Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) opponent Berea College on Wednesday, 79-77.

Hunter Penn started the offense for Transylvania, scoring on a fast break dunk in the opening two minutes of action. Moments later, Ian Reesor knocked down a three-point basket late in the shot clock to give the Pioneers a 5-4 lead. The Mountaineers responded with a run to regain the advantage, taking a nine point lead with 09:00 remaining in the opening half. Colby Napier would respond with a fast break lay-up to start the Transylvania rally, Hunter Penn scored five consecutive points for the Pioneers over a two minute period before Zach Stahlman's three-pointer pulled the deficit to within six with 03:31 remaining in the half. Berea would respond to regain a double digit lead, but Colby Napier's three-pointer and Brandon Rowe's fast break lay-up would bring the Pioneers back to within five with two minutes remaining in the half. Napier would score again from distance as Transylvania trailed by five entering the half. 

Transylvania carried their momentum into the second half as Penn would score on a jumper in the opening minute, with Napier scoring again from three-point territory to cut the Berea lead to 40-36. With 14:43 remaining, Reesor would score another three-pointer to bring the game to a 46-46 tie. Both teams would exchange leads throughout the second half, but with 03:26 remaining, the Pioneers found themselves trailing 65-61 after a completed basket and free-throw from Dakota Capps. With less than a minute remaining in regulation, Napier would score on a fast break lay-up to bring the Pioneers to within three, 67-64. On the defensive end, Drew Marshall would come up with a block to force a fast break for Transylvania, advancing the ball to Napier in the corner for a game-tying three-pointer with 0:24 remaining. Berea would turn the ball over and give the Pioneers an opportunity at the end of regulation, but Marshall's shot attempt did not fall, leading to overtime. 

Marshall opened the overtime period with a jump-shot to take the 69-67 lead for Transylvania. In a fifteen second sequence, Napier scored another three-pointer, followed by a fast break lay-up for Penn to give the Pioneers a 75-72 lead with less than two minutes remaining in overtime. With two seconds remaining, Napier would score two free-throws to secure a 79-77 victory for Transylvania. 

Key Stats

- Transylvania outscored Berea's bench 10-0. 
- Transylvania outscored Berea 26-16 in fast break opportunities.
- Colby Napier led all scorers with 24 points, scoring six three-point field goals. 

Up Next

Transylvania travels to Indiana to take on Anderson University on Saturday, February 1st at 3:00 p.m.

Transylvania University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the HCAC. To keep up to date with all of Transylvania Athletics, check out our website at www.transysports.com and follow @TransySports on Instagram.