Transylvania women's basketball wins D3 national championship, completing undefeated season
The Transylvania University women’s basketball team capped a historic season Saturday, topping Christopher Newport University 57-52 in the NCAA Division III national championship game in Dallas.
The victory at American Airlines Center not only gave Transylvania its first national title in school history, but helped the Pioneers finish the 2022-23 season 33-0. Saturday’s win continued a torrid run of success for Transylvania. The program has won 60 of its past 61 games dating back to last season, and is 99-10 the past four seasons.
The Pioneers have captured five straight Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference titles and won 31 of their first 32 games this season by double digits — with no margin of victory less than eight.
Saturday snapped that streak. Transylvania had to rally to end up on the right side of the scoreboard against the Captains, who also entered the title showdown with an undefeated record (31-0).
CNU jumped out to a nine-point lead in the first quarter, but Transylvania slowly chipped away. The Pioneers started the second half on a 13-2 run, eventually leading by as many as 13 before the Captains engineered a comeback of their own.
The contest was tied two times within the final three minutes, but Transylvania’s Dasia Thornton made a go-ahead layup with 43 seconds to play that pushed the Pioneers ahead 51-49. The Captains had no more answers after that.
A senior trio led the way for Transylvania in the undefeated title tilt, with Madison Kellione scoring a team-high 17 points while Thornton posted a double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds). Guard Kennedi Stacy stuffed the stat sheet, scoring eight points, grabbing 11 rebounds and notching eight steals.
This wasn’t just the first national title for Transylvania. This season also marked the Pioneers’ first-ever Final Four appearance.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: NCAA Division 3 women's basketball tournament: Transylvania wins title
