The Anderson University (0-2) women’s basketball team welcomed the Transylvania University Pioneers (5-3) to O.C. Lewis Gymnasium for their home opener. In a close battle, both teams fought hard against each other and in the end the Pioneers of Transylvania University defeated the Anderson Ravens 65-60 on Saturday.

RECAP

• The Pioneers got the game started with a layup, the Ravens immediately followed with one of their own.
• It was a back-and-forth battle through the first quarter, with both teams taking share of the lead.
• At the end of the first quarter the Ravens led 14-12
• After the Pioneers tied the game up 14 apiece in the beginning of the second quarter, the Ravens gained back their lead and held onto it for the remainder of the half.
• The Ravens ended the first half 7-for-11 (63.6 percent) from the three-point line. Lexi Dellinger made 5-of-7 (71.4 percent) threes for the Ravens during this time and led the team with 17 points.
• The battle between the Ravens and Pioneers grew stronger during the third quarter. While the Ravens held onto the lead the Pioneers started to close the gap.
• The Pioneers scored a total of 19 points during the third quarter.
• Entering the fourth quarter the Ravens had a slight 50-47 lead over the Pioneers.
• The Pioneers gained the lead for the first time since the first quarter with a layup to make the score 51-50
• After the Ravens tied the game 53-53 with 6 minutes, 35 seconds left in the game, the lead would change three times through the next three minutes.
• The Pioneers broke away at the 2:06 mark after Madison Kellione made two free throws.
• Four more free throws for the Pioneers would seal the Ravens fate as they were unable to come back.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Lexi Dellinger led the team with 20 points for the day while recording four rebounds, two assists, and one block.
• Allie Owens added 16 points and two assists for the Ravens.
• Hannah Hawkins had a double-double for the day with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
• For Transylvania, Madison Kellione led the Pioneers with 24 points, along with five rebounds, three assists, and one block.
• Dasia Thornton had a double-double of her own for the Pioneers off the bench, recording 12 points and 10 rebounds.
• Anderson drained 11-of-20 (55 percent) shots from the perimeter while Transylvania was held to a 5-of-18 (27.8 percent) shooting effort from behind the arc.

COACH SHADE’S COMMENTS

• On Thursday night, we let Transylvania beat us doing what they want to do, which is shoot rhythm threes. We came in [on Saturday] knowing we had to run them off the 3-point line and keep them off the offensive glass. I thought our players did a tremendous job of executing the defensive game plan.
• It’s disappointing because I felt like we outplayed them for much of the game, until fatigue set in. I think that’s the next step for us. We have to find a way to finish games like this one but hats off to Transylvania. They made big plays down the stretch and we did not have an answer for [Madison] Kellione.
• Lexi had another great game. I thought Allie really stepped up for us on the offensive end. It was good to see her shoot the ball with confidence.

NEXT MATCHUP

• The Ravens take on the Spartans of Manchester University on Friday at 7 p.m. in the O.C. Lewis Gymnasium.
• The Spartans are 2-1 for the season after falling to Hanover College on Saturday 69-52.