Box Score

The Malone University women's basketball team suffered an 81-39 defeat at home on Thursday evening in its non-conference match-up against local rival Walsh University. The Cavaliers, ranked No. 7 in the most recent NAIA Division II National Poll, trailed 16-12 eight minutes into the contest but then closed out the opening stanza on a 25-3 scoring run to take a commanding 37-19 advantage into the locker room at halftime. The Pioneers were then unable to cut into the deficit over the final 20 minutes. The win marked the Cavaliers' second victory of the season over Malone as Walsh had previously recorded a 67-36 triumph in the American Mideast Conference match-up between the two squads that was held in North Canton on January 29th. The Pioneers' overall record fell to 8-21 with the loss while the Cavaliers stretched their current winning streak to 19 games, improving their record to 24-4 on the year.

Malone connected on four of its first seven shots from the floor to take the early four-point advantage. However, the hosts struggled to get their offense on track from that point forward as the Pioneers ended the night having made just 22% (13-of-59) of their field goal attempts, 18.2% (4-of-22) of their three-pointers and 69.2% (9-of-13) of their foul shots. Walsh countered by shooting 47.8% (32-of-67) from the field, 16.7% (1-of-6) from beyond the three-point arc and 84.2% (16-of-19) from the charity stripe. The Cavaliers also held a 47-36 advantage in total rebounds and scored 28 points off 25 Pioneer turnovers.

Guard Amy Kittle ended the night with a team-high 14 points. Guard Trisha Seilhamer followed with 10 points while forward Sarah VanVoorhis notched seven points and a team-high five rebounds.

Guard Jessie Miller and forward Cara Bedard each tossed in 14 points to lead the way for Walsh.

Malone will wrap up its 2010-11 campaign on the road Saturday with a 2:00 p.m. AMC game against Mt. Vernon Nazarene University (19-7 overall, 10-5 AMC). In this season's earlier meeting between the two squads, the Cougars posted an 87-53 victory at Osborne Hall on January 12th. A live audio broadcast of Saturday's season finale will be available on the Malone Sports Network (on the radio at WNPQ 95.9 FM and streaming on the internet at the www.thelight959.com). Free streaming video will also be provided by MVNU.

SENIOR RECOGNITION: Malone's four seniors were recognized for their outstanding careers at Malone prior to Thursday's contest. Congratulations to Amy Kittle, Alison Schloz, Ashley Speicher and Allyson Wilson!! Each of the seniors started the game, including Wilson despite the season-ending knee injury that she had suffered in Malone's victory at Wilberforce University on February 8th. In a nice gesture by Walsh, the Cavaliers allowed the Pioneers to win the opening tip and give the ball to Wilson, who was standing along the sideline near Malone's bench. The senior then passed the ball out of bounds to head coach Lori Wynn before checking out of her final home game.