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

BLUFFTON, OHIO - Transylvania traveled to Bluffton Saturday for a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) match up, Bluffton would come away with a 97-91 victory. 

Colby Napier opened the afternoon with a fast break three-pointer to give Transylvania a 3-0 lead. Drew Marshall would drive to the basket on the next possession to give the Pioneers an early 5-0 lead. Bluffton would respond to take a 9-7 lead. In a two minute stretch, Colby Napier scored seven straight points to give the Pioneers a nine point lead - Napier scored on a jump shot in the paint, followed by another three-pointer and lastly a driving lay up to the basket. Bluffton would rally and respond to tie the score at 20-20, but Zach Stahlman would score a three-point field goal for the Pioneers to regain the lead. Napier would score at the basket in the final minute of the half, but Bluffton would carry a 39-36 lead into the break. 

Drew Marshall opened the second half with a basket for the Pioneers, followed by a jump shot from Hunter Penn in the paint. After falling behind 67-51, the Pioneers would rally to cut into the deficit. A lay up from Penn and a three-pointer from Napier would start the run, followed by an almost identical sequence of Penn scoring in the paint and another three-pointer from Napier to cut the deficit to eight. With four minutes remaining, J.C. Walbert scored a three-pointer to cut the lead to 82-74. Napier scored from three-point range, followed by a drive to the basket from Brandon Rowe. Walbert scored another three-pointer in the final minute, followed by a lay up from Dakota Capps and another basket from Walbert, but Bluffton would hold on for a 97-91 victory. 

Key Stats

- Colby Napier led the Pioneers with 27 points, including six three-point field goals.
- Capps and Penn each scored 13 points.
- Transylvania outscored Bluffton in bench scoring and second chance opportunities.

"Bluffton did a terrific job of dictating how the game was played," said Head Coach Brian Lane. "We were not able to adjust until it was too late. We have a lot to do down the stretch to achieve the goals we have."

Transylvania returns to the Clive M. Beck Center on Wednesday, February 12th to take on HCAC opponent Franklin College at 7:30 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.