Box Score

The Malone University women's basketball team suffered a disappointing 72-69 loss at the University of Northwestern Ohio on Monday night.  After the Pioneers held the upper hand through most of the first half, the visitors fought back en route to a seesaw battle in the final frame that saw UNOH pull out the contest in a game that went down to the final buzzer.  With the loss, Malone dropped to 5-7 overall while Northwestern Ohio improved to 5-8.

The Pioneers took control of the game early, jumping out to a lead as large as 26-11 just past the midpoint of the first half before UNOH slowly began chipping away at their deficit. With Malone still leading 32-20 with 4:54 left in the first 20 minutes of action, the Racers then scored the final eight points of the half, trimming the score to 32-28 in favor of Malone at the intermission.

From thereafter, it was a battle to the finish as only twice more was the margin between the teams larger than that halftime differential of four points. A back and forth battle that produced 10 more ties in the final frame ensued before UNOH matched its largest lead of the game, at five points, with just 2:38 remaining. Trailing 67-62, Malone proceeded to score six straight points to take a 68-67 lead with just 1:06 remaining in the contest. The hosts would not be denied, though, grabbing a 72-69 edge with just 13 seconds left. Then, on Malone's final possession, the Pioneers had two cracks at the basket as guard Caitlin Sharp missed an attempt with four seconds left and guard Lauren Myers, after an offensive board by Lindsy Snyder, missed a three-point try to tie it at the buzzer, making the final score 72-69 in favor of UNOH.

Snyder and Myers paced the Malone offense with 15 points each with Snyder adding an impressive 14 rebounds, marking her sixth double-double on the season.  Myers added four rebounds of her own. Sharp also hit twin figures on the night with 10 points while also grabbing a pair of rebounds. Guard Sydnee Penn had a solid game with nine points, eight rebounds and two blocks while three other Pioneers tossed in six points apiece – guard Selana Reale, who also had seven rebounds, forward Sarah Bardall, who added six boards, and guard Trisha Seilhamer, who was two-for-two from three-point range.

The Racers were led by Amanda Francis who tallied a game-high 27 points followed by Rebecca Puckett who had 16 points. Puckett paced UNOH in rebounds with eight on the night.

The overall shooting percentage was nearly even with UNOH holding a slight edge at 38.5% (25-65) to 37.9% (25-66). Though neither team shot well behind the arc, the Pioneers made seven shots (compared to the Racers' two) and held a 23.3% (7-30) to 11.8% (2-17) advantage. At the free throw line, the hosts converted 66.7% (20-30) of their attempts while Malone sank 54.5% (12-22). The Pioneers held a decisive 44-34 advantage in rebounding but turnovers went in favor of the hosts as Malone had 23 while UNOH committed 15.

Malone will next compete in the University of Findlay Holiday Tournament December 29-30. In the first game (Thu.), the Pioneers will take on Northwood (MI) University (6-5) in a 3:30 p.m. contest.  On day two (Fri.), Malone will face the host Oilers (7-3) in a 3:00 p.m. game.  Both contests will be on the radio at WNPQ 95.9 FM with a live audio stream at www.thelight959.com. In addition, the Friday contest vs. Findlay will also have live stats.