LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The men's basketball team tipped off their 2017-18 campaign with a game at Transylania in Kentucky. The Panthers fell short 130-98 as they couldn't overcome the Pioneers 24-2 run to open the game.
The shots woudn't fall for Greenville all night as they made just 29-of-107 shots for a shooting percentage of 27.1 percent. Transylvania made 52-of-80 attempts to record a field goal percentage of 65 percent.
It was the first regular season game that the Panthers did not reach 100 points since the SLIAC semifinal at MacMurray against Westminster on Feb. 25, 2016. It was the first regular season game under 100 points since a SLIAC contest at Spalding on Jan. 2, 2016.
Newcomer Rakim Murphy was a bright spot for Greenville as he posted 17 points to lead a group of three starters with more than 10 points.
Johari Dix chipped in 15 points, and Ethan Leib had 12 points.
Dix added five assists to lead the team, and he tied Murphy for the team high with four steals.
The Panthers only had 18 turnovers as their pressure forced Transylvania into 45 giveaways -- a rate of over two turnovers per minute. Greenville chalked up 24 steals.
The Panthers (0-1) return to action at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio, on Friday where they play Montclair State of New Jersey.