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


GREENCASTLE, IN - Transylvania traveled to Greencastle on Saturday to open the 2025-26 season against DePauw. 

Sierra Kemelgor scored the first field goal of the season for the Pioneers, a jumpshot assisted from Riley Flinn in the opening 90 seconds. Flinn followed on the next possession with a three point field goal, assisted by Kemelgor, to cut an early DePauw lead to one. Olivia Hart scored on a jumper for the Tigers, but Kemelgor would respond with a lay up to keep the deficit at one. Two free throws from Flinn gave the Pioneers a 9-8 lead, followed by another drive to the basket from Kemelgor, assisted by Flinn. Makya Grinter scored on a drive to the basket, immediately followed up by a steal and drive to the basket for Kemelgor to extend the Transylvania lead to five. After exchanging baskets, Chloe McKnight would score on a lay up in the final 30 seconds of an action packed first quarter to give the Pioneers a 21-19 lead. 

Grinter scored on a three point field goal to open the second quarter, giving the Pioneers a five point advantage. The next Pioneer basket would come from Reagan Barrett in the paint, assisted by Keaton Hall, to give Transylvania a 26-23 lead with 06:42 remaining in the half. DePauw would respond with a lay up in the paint, followed by a steal and made three point field goal to retake the lead at 28-26. Riley Flinn would score in the paint to take a 30-28 lead over the Tigers with just under four minutes remaining in the half, but DePauw would end the second quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 34-30 lead into the halftime break. 

Keaton Hall would connect on two free throw attempts to stop a 4-0 run to open the third quarter for the Tigers, but another jumper from Olivia Hart would extend the DePauw lead to eight. Riley Flinn knocked down two free throws and then another three point field goal, pulling the Pioneers to within three. DePauw would respond with a three pointer of their own, but Sierra Kemelgor's trip to the line would keep the Pioneers within reach, trailing 43-38 at the end of the third. 

Hart connected on a jumper in the paint to extend the DePauw advantage to seven, but the Pioneers would begin to rally in what would be a dominant fourth quarter offensive performance. Keaton Hall grabbed a rebound to start the fast break, leading to Grinter assisting to a drive to the basket from Barrett. On the next trip down the floor, Kemelgor connected on a jumpshot to pull Transylvania to within two. With just under six minutes remaining, DePauw would go on a 6-0 run to extend their lead back to eight at 51-43, but the Pioneers would not go away. Hannah Glisson knocked down two free throws before the media timeout to trim the lead back to six. With 04:27 remaining, Glisson stole the ball from Riley Mont, leading to a lay up from Grinter. After a missed jumper from DePauw, Flinn grabbed the rebound and connected on a jumpshot to pull the Pioneers to within one, finishing the basket through contact. Kemelgor would tie the game at 51-51 at the line with less than 3:30 remaining. Grinter connected on a fastbreak drive to the basket to take the lead at 53-51 with 01:50 remaining, followed by another steal from Glisson and another fast break drive for Grinter just seconds later. With less than a minute remaining, Riley Flinn would connect on a three pointer to give the Pioneers a six point lead. Flinn and Grinter would each score two free throws in the final seconds, securing a 62-52 season opening win for the Pioneers. 

Riley Flinn led the way for Transylvania, scoring 21 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. Sierra Kemelgor followed with 15 points, four rebounds and three steals. Makya Grinter was the third Pioneer to score in double figures, with 14 points and five rebounds. 

Transylvania returns to action at the Sara Lee Classic in Granville, Ohio on November 15th and 16th. They will take on Denison on Saturday, followed by Marietta on Sunday. 

Transylvania University is a proud member of the 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.