Courtney Cole connects on two free throws in the closing seconds to give the Mount a 66-65 home win over Transylvania University

The College of Mount St. Joseph withstood a late second half comebac, getting two free throws from Courtney Cole (Vevay, IN/Switzerland County) with 9.2 seconds to play, posting a 66-65 HCAC win against Transylvania University. The Mount, 4-18 overall, 4-11 in the HCAC, will resume action on Feb. 11 when they continue conference play at Earlham College. 

The Lions jumped out to a 33-29 lead at the intermission, as they parlayed a strong inside attack to help them connect on 15-of-34 first half shots. The Pioneers stayed close by forcing nine Mount turnovers in the first half, and converting 12-of-18 free throws. The Mount controlled the boards in the opening half, by a 24-15 margin. The Mount led by as many as 14 points in the first half.

The Mount pushed its lead out to 10 , 39-29, early in the second half, and led by a 44-31 advantage with 13:30 after a three-pointer by Erica Miknius (Cincinnati, OH/Oak Hills). The Pioneers would then make their first run in the second half at the Mount, whittling down the deficit to 48-47, as they continued their solid shooting from the foul line. With the score tied at 53-all and 4:08 to play, the Lions would go on a 7-2 run, thanks to a variety of scorers, to grab a 60-55 lead with 2:34 to play. Transylvania cut the deficit to 64-63 after a three-pointer with 1:01 to play, and would take a 65-64 advantage after hitting two free throws with 22 seconds left in the game. Cole was then fouled in the act of shooting with 9.2 seconds to play, and hit both free throws to put the Mount ahead, 66-65. Transy missed a three-point shot at the buzzer as the Lions claimed their third win in the all-time series against the Pioneers.

Cole finished with 21 points, four rebounds and three assists. Katie Jo Collins (Cincinnati, OH/Mercy) added 10 points and a game-high seven rebounds. Brooke Mosler (Maysville, KY/St. Patrick's) chipped in nine points and six rebounds. The Mount out-shot Transy, 45 to 38 percent from the field and out-rebounded their competition, 36-34. The Pioneers hit 25-of-36 free throws while the Lions were eight-of-11 from the charity stripe. Both teams committed 17 turnovers.