Metro Lex News

28-0 Transy Women's Basketball advances to the round of 32, defeats Rhodes 58-45

In the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, Transy Women's Basketball (28-0) defeated Rhodes College, the SAA Champions, 58-45 at Beck. Tonight's first quarter started much like the regular season with a Transy lead from the first basket, thanks to Kennedi Stacy, followed by the added defensive effort momentum of a steal courtesy of Sydney Wright.

The Pioneers took the first quarter 15-7, adding a point to their lead to nine going into halftime. Seven steals in the first quarter, plus 12 points off turnovers helped the Pioneers to widen the gap of their lead. In the scoring defense category, the team is nationally ranked third in division three. By mid-third quarter the Pioneers took their largest lead of the game at 41-26 for a 15 point lead. 

•    Dasia Thornton- 11 points and 16 rebounds (season-high rebounds) for the double-double

•    Kennedi Stacy- 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals

•    Maddie Kellione- 15 points, 2 steals

Coach Fulks said of her team's performance, "Our defense held us tonight which had been the goal all year long. Every team is going to have nights where they struggle to shoot the ball and it's important in the tournament to have a strong defense and rebounding to prop you up. I was proud of our continued efforts all night and finding a way to win!"

With the win, the Pioneers advance to the round of 32 Saturday night against Millikin University, the CCIW Champions, at 7:45 PM in the Beck Center. 

Original source can be found here.