Kolby Wohl
Contributing Writer

Transylvania women's basketball opened Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play by taking full control from the start on Wednesday night, cruising past Earlham 101–41 inside the Clive M. Beck Center. The Pioneers (4–2, 1–0 HCAC) controlled the matchup from the opening tip and never allowed the visiting Quakers to gain any rhythm, using unbreakable defense, steady pace, and an explosive display to cap off their greatest victory thus far. It displayed the performance that showcased the depth, versatility, and energy of a dominant team looking to make an early statement in conference play.

From the start, the Pioneers showed determination, driving to a 25–8 first-quarter lead behind solid ball movement and aggressive rebounding. Transylvania eventually placed five players in double figures and gathered up 53 bench points, illustrating how seamlessly the team's second unit stepped in without any decline in production. As a group, Transy knocked down 18 three-pointers and shot 42.5 percent from the field while holding Earlham to 30 percent shooting and just two made threes.

Junior guard Sierra Kemelgor set the tone with one of her most complete outings to start of the season, finishing with 18 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three steals in just 20 minutes of game play. She shot an efficient 7-for-10 from the floor and buried three triples, using her decision-making to repeatedly spark fast-break sequences.
The perimeter attack continued to shine thanks to strong performances from both Riley Flinn and Grace Bruner, who combined for eight of the team's 18 three-pointers. After missing the Pat Deacon Classic this past weekend, Flinn tallied 14 points, added six rebounds and two steals while hitting three shots from deep. Bruner came off the bench in rhythm, knocking down five three-pointers on her way to 15 points and projecting immediate energy into the Transylvania offense. Each time Earlham attempted to slow the Pioneers' momentum, another timely three from Flinn or Bruner stretched the lead out even more.

The Pioneers out rebounded Earlham 65–22, including 37 offensive rebounds that translated into 33 second-chance points. "I think there was only 13 shots that we didn't go get a second chance which is for us always our motto. We want to stay until we score. So that part has really held us in games … That's always been our main principle. So we're going to keep relying on that," Coach Hannah Kline added postgame.

Forward Raegan Barrett anchored much of that effort, pulling down nine rebounds, eight on the offensive end, and scoring eight points that helped the Pioneers establish control inside. The relentless rebounding pressure prevented Earlham from generating stops and forced the Quakers to defend far longer possessions than they were prepared for.
Even as the lead grew, Transylvania continued to attack defensively, forcing 17 turnovers and converting them into 34 points on the other end. Whether it was a steal at the top of the key or a tipped pass in the paint, the Pioneers consistently turned defensive pressure into transition layups. The depth of the roster allowed Transy to maintain that energy for all four quarters, and the results showed in the final score.

The fourth quarter belonged to the bench, which delivered some of the night's biggest moments. Brooklyn White caught fire late, scoring 13 points and knocking down three threes. Danielle Jones turned in a perfect 4-for-4 shooting performance for 10 points, finishing plays at the rim and knocking down key shots. Mackenzie Lombardi added seven more points, including a pair of threes, while Juliana Smith, Morgan Howell, and others provided strong defensive sequences that held Earlham to single-digit scoring in three of the four quarters. By the final buzzer, all 14 Pioneers had contributed, a testament to the depth and cohesion of the roster. "Having the depth that we have and trying to get our freshman up to speed a little bit quicker as we get into December and January play will be huge just so we have the numbers that we need in case anything happens," Kline expressed.

With every player finding ways to contribute, Transylvania's 101-point performance not only marked their highest output of the season but also signaled a confident step into HCAC competition. The Pioneers will continue Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play on Saturday, Dec. 6, when they host Mount St. Joseph at 1 p.m. at the Clive M. Beck Center.

Transylvania University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the HCAC. To keep up to date with all of Transylvania Athletics, visit TransySports.com and follow @TransySports on Instagram.