LEXINGTON, Ky. - Maryville College women's basketball picked up a defining early-season victory Friday, grinding past Division III powerhouse Transylvania University, 48-45, inside the Clive M. Beck Center.
Transylvania entered the contest with an elite national pedigree, highlighted by the 2023 national championship, a 2024 Final Four run, a 2022 Elite Eight appearance, and consecutive HCAC league titles spanning 2019-25.
The game was tightly contested from the opening tip, featuring three ties and three lead changes, but Maryville never trailed, leaning on defense and efficiency to secure the win.
Kadence Stoner delivered a dominant two-way performance, shooting 6-for-8 from the floor while pulling down 11 rebounds, swatting three shots, and adding three steals in 33 minutes of action.
The Scots also received key minutes from Emily Wilson, who fought through heavy defensive attention to finish with seven points — including a crucial three-pointer — while hitting all four of her free-throw attempts and adding a late block and steal.
Ella Haney provided another steady presence, scoring eight points and grabbing three boards, including a late-game second-chance tip-in that helped preserve Maryville's cushion.
Maryville's offense was efficient despite the physical tone, knocking down 45.0% of its shots (18-40) while holding Transylvania to just 26.9% (14-52) overall and 12.5% (3-24) from deep.
Defensively, the Scots created offense, scoring 20 points off turnovers and blocking five shots as a team while recording seven steals.
A late Pioneer rally trimmed Maryville's lead to one in the final minute, but Wilson sealed the outcome at the free-throw line, converting two clutch attempts with six seconds remaining to lock in the three-point final margin.
Maryville moves to 2-1 on the year, earning one of the program's most impressive non-conference results in recent seasons.
SCORING LEADERS
• Kadence Stoner: 13 PTS, 11 REB, 3 BLK, 3 STL
• Emily Haney: 8 PTS, 3 REB
• Emily Wilson: 7 PTS, 1 3PT, 1 BLK, 1 STL
TEAM NOTES
• 20 points off turnovers
• 20 points in the paint
• 12 bench points
• 5 second-chance points
Final: Maryville 48, Transylvania 45
