Transylvania women’s basketball team wins NCAA opener to extend unbeaten season

The Transylvania University women’s basketball team played its closest game in almost two months on Friday night.

The fact the Pioneers won Friday’s game by 17 points suggests something special is happening on North Broadway.

How special?

Friday’s 69-52 victory over Washington and Jefferson in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament extended the Pioneers’ record this season to 25-0.

Next up for Transylvania was a date with Southern Virginia University (25-4) in the round of 32 on Saturday night at the Clive M. Beck Center. Southern Virginia advanced with a 67-48 win over Shenandoah on Friday in Lexington.

Entering Saturday, Transylvania was one of only two undefeated teams left in the NCAA field. Christopher Newport University of Newport News, Va., is also 25-0. On opposite sides of the bracket, the Pioneers and Captains could not meet each other until the national championship game.

The winner of Saturday’s Transylvania-Southern Virginia contest will face either Mary Hardin-Baylor or East Texas Baptist in the Sweet 16.

Madison Kelione, a junior from Harrison County High School, scored 20 points to lead Transylvania in Friday’s win. Dasia Thornton (17), Kennedi Staci (10) and Laken Ball (10) also scored in double figures for the Pioneers, who led 21-11 after one quarter and 42-27 at halftime and were never seriously threatened.

Thornton added 13 rebounds for Transy, and Ball had 10 as the Pioneers enjoyed a 39-27 advantage on the boards.

Entering Saturday’s game, the Pioneers had won their 25 games this season by an average of 25.28 points per game. Friday’s 17-point win was their closest since a 72-68 win at Rose-Hulman on Jan. 22.