Lexington, Ky. - The Franklin College women's basketball team shot 54.1 percent in the second half, but it was not enough in losing 74-59 at No. 15-ranked Transylvania University in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) play on Wednesday.

The Pioneers (21-1, 15-0 HCAC) jumped out to a 40-13 halftime lead behind strong defense and 46.7 percent shooting in the first 20 minutes.

Kaitlin Smith led Transylvania with a game-high 17 points. Nicole Coffman chipped in 13 points.

Franklin (11-10, 9-6 HCAC) used an 11-4 run midway through the second half to get within 59-42 after a three-point play by junior Katie Brewer (Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli). The forward scored a team-high 14 points in the loss.

Later, the visitors scored eight consecutive points to trail 63-54 with 4:03 left after a layup by senior Nichole Thompson (Greenwood, Ind./Greenwood). She scored 12 points in the contest.

That was as close as the Grizzlies would get as baskets by Smith and Coffman pushed the margin back into double figures.

Franklin returns to action on Saturday, February 14, at 1 p.m. when it travels to Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. Live statistics and video of the game will be available.