Box Score

The Malone University women's basketball fell at home to Wayne State (MI) University on Monday night by a final tally of 66-60. The Warriors, members of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), fought back from a seven-point second-half deficit, outscoring the Pioneers 9-4 over the final two and a half minutes to secure the six-point triumph.  Wayne State remained undefeated with the victory, improving to 3-0 on the season.  Malone, meanwhile, slipped to 1-4 overall.

The Pioneers closed out the first half on a 6-0 scoring run to head to locker room at halftime trailing by a margin of 32-27.  The Pioneers took their first lead of the game at the 14:32 mark of the second period when guard Sydnee Penn sank a pair of free throws to make the score 37-36.  Penn, who racked up a game-high 18 points on the night, then capped off an 8-0 Malone scoring spurt moments later as she slashed to hoop on a fast-break lay-up to give the Pioneers their largest lead at 45-38.

Following a timeout, Wayne State managed to regroup, rattling off seven unanswered points over the next three minutes to knot the game at 45-45 with 9:39 showing on the clock.

The lead then changed hands back and forth over the next several minutes.  A three-pointer by Pioneer guard Caitlin Sharp put Malone in front 54-52 before the Warriors tallied the next five points to pull back ahead 57-54.

Forward Lindsy Snyder scored in the paint with 2:34 to play to end the Wayne State surge and pull the hosts to within one at 57-56.  However, that was as close as Malone would get the rest of way.  Forward Deanna Crumpton and guard Paige Sickmiller hit jumpers to push the Warrior advantage to 61-56 with just under a minute remaining.  Penn and forward Sarah Bardall each added baskets to keep the Pioneers within striking distance but Wayne State managed to sink five of its final six free throws to secure the win.

On the evening, the Warriors held a commanding 47-33 advantage in total rebounds, including a 23-13 edge on the offensive glass.  Malone knocked down 22 of 55 (40%) field goal attempts and 13 of 19 (68.4%) free throws.  Wayne State countered by connecting on 28 of 68 (41.2%) attempts from the field and 10 of 17 (58.8%) foul shots.  Both teams struggled from beyond the arc as Malone made just three of 17 (17.6%) three-pointers while the Warriors missed all nine of their treys.

Penn grabbed eight rebounds and handed out three assists to go with her season-high 18 points.  Guard Lauren Myers added 15 points and two steals.  Snyder tossed in 10 points and grabbed six boards while Bardall contributed six points, five assists and four rebounds.

Crumpton led the way for Wayne State with 17 points.  Center Juanita Cochran battled second-half foul trouble but still managed to notch 15 points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Malone will be back in action on Tuesday night as the squad welcomes Tiffin University (2-0 overall), another GLIAC opponent, to Osborne Hall for a 5:30 p.m. contest.  Fans that cannot attend Tuesday's game can follow the action on the internet with free live statistics. 

In addition, Tuesday's match-up with the Dragons will be part of a Cancer Awareness Doubleheader.  Following the completion of the collegiate contest, the Lake High School girls' team will take on Marlington High School in an exhibition game.  Click here to read more about Tuesday's event.