BOX SCORE
LEXINGTON, KY. -- Transylvania University withstood a second half charge by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to earn a 60-46 men's basketball victory in a battle of Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference co-leaders on Saturday.
With the win, Transylvania improves to 13-2 overall and 7-1 in HCAC play. Rose-Hulman falls into a second place tie one game behind the Pioneers at 12-3 overall and 6-2 in league games.
Sophomore Julian Strickland (Indianapolis/Pike) led the Engineer offense with 15 points. Sophomore Nate Gissentanner (Conyers, Ga./Rockdale County) also reached double figures with 12 points.
Sophomore James Pillischafske (Louisville, Ky./Male) joined junior Austin Weatherford (Cicero/Hamilton Heights) with seven points each.
Ethan Spurlin led the Transylvania offense with 20 points, and Brandon Rash also reached double figures with 16 points.
Transylvania led 30-28 after a tightly contested first half. The Pioneers relied on a 15-3 run to start the second half to take a 45-31 edge on a score by Spurlin at the 13:18 mark.
Rose-Hulman answered with seven straight points to move within 45-38 with 10:08 left. Strickland buried a three-pointer and a two-pointer, with Pillischafske adding a field goal in the rally.
Three free throws by Weatherford brought Rose-Hulman within 48-41 at the 7:02 mark. Transylvania answered with nine straight points to take a 57-41 lead and secure the victory.
Rose-Hulman returns to action with a Wednesday home matchup against Franklin College at 7:30 p.m.