Mount women's basketball team suffers home loss to HCAC-leader Transylvania University

HCAC-leader Transylvania University used a varied scoring attack, and a shutdown defense as they rolled to an 89-56 win over the Lions on Wednesday night in the Harrington Center. The Mount, 3-13 overall, 2-7 in the conference, returns to the court on Jan. 19 when they host an HCAC game against Manchester University.

The Lions and Pioneers played close throughout the early part of the first half, with the Mount holding a 14-13 lead with 11:31 on the first half clock. Transy began to pull away at that point, thanks to solid outside shooting, and led 26-14 with 5:55 to play in the first half. Transy led by a 41-26 margin at the half, as they converted 55 percent of their shots from the field, and seven-of-10 from the free throw line. They also forced 14 Mount turnovers and held the Lions to 37 percent shooting. Rachel Blevins (Middletown, OH/Madison) led the Mount in the first half with eight points while Melanie Monahan (Mason, OH/Bishop Fenwick) grabbed five rebounds. 

Transy would produce more of the same results throughout the entire second half, as they made 54 percent from the field, and took advantage of numerous free throw opportunities, converting 17-of-24 from the free throw line, en route to their 12th win of the season and eight victory in nine conference games. The Lions were held to 24 percent shooting in the second half, including making only two-of-14 from behind the three-point arc.

Heidi McManus (Bethel, OH/Williamsburg) finished with a team-high 12 points and three steals while Blevins chipped in 11 points. Chelsea Castleberry (Hebron, KY/Conner) had a team-high eight rebounds and four assists for the Mount. Transy shot 54 percent from the field, including three-of-six from three-point, and was 24-of-34 from the free throw line. The Pioneers committed 23 turnovers while the Mount had 26 turnovers.