BOX SCORE
LEXINGTON, KY. -- Transylvania University relied on a strong defensive effort and a solid second half effort to top Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 65-48 in women's basketball action on Saturday.
Nicole Coffman led the Pioneers with 26 points on 11-20 from the field. Jariana Gillespie and Alex McKenzie also reached double figures with 10 points each.
Freshman Sheree Williams (Bluffton, S.C.) led the Rose-Hulman effort with 14 points on 6-14 from the field. Senior Alisa Dickerson (Elizabethtown, Ky.) also reached double figures with 10 points.
Other key contributors for Rose-Hulman included sophomores Heather Finnell (Decatur, Tenn./Cleveland) and Kelsey Ploof (Noblesville) with eight points each.
Transylvania jumped out to a 25-17 halftime lead, before Rose-Hulman closed to within 45-40 at the 9:12 mark on two free throws by freshman Grace Gibbs (Parker, Colo./Ponderosa) and a three-pointer by Finnell.
Transylvania answered with 10 straight points to push the lead to 55-40 and secure the victory. The Pioneers improved to 6-9 overall and 4-4 in league play with the win.
Rose-Hulman stands 5-10 on the season and 3-5 in HCAC play. The Fightin' Engineers hit the road for a matchup against 14-1 and nationally ranked Franklin College on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.