Box Score

The Malone University women's basketball team improved to 2-0 on the young season after leading wire-to-wire in a 72-50 victory at Saint Joseph's (IN) College on Saturday afternoon.

Junior forward Deborah Simmers, who scored a game-high 16 points on the evening, put the Pioneers ahead on their second possession of the game, a lead that Malone would never relinquish.

The Pioneers used a 15-5 run in the last seven minutes of the first half to push their advantage from 20-15 to 35-20 heading into intermission.

Saint Joe's would close to 39-28 early in the second half, but a 17-3 spurt would boost the lead to 56-31, putting the game away early.

Along with Simmers, sophomore forward Lindsy Snyder and sophomore guard Logan Pastor also reached double figures in scoring.  Snyder tallied 14 points and five boards while Pastor racked up 13 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals.

The Malone defense forced 16 turnovers and held the Pumas to 33.9% (19 of 56) shooting from the field, including 28.6% (four of 14) from beyond the arc.  Saint Joseph's also struggled at the foul line, converting on just 47.1% (eight of 17) of its free throws.

Eleven different Pioneers got on the score sheet as the visitors shot 50% (29 of 58) from the field, 27.3% (three of 11) from three-point range and 64.7% (11 of 17) from the foul line.

Malone also enjoyed a 42-34 advantage in total rebounds while out-scoring SJC by a 36-14 margin in the paint.

The Pioneers, off to their first 2-0 start since the 2006-07 season, will be back in action on Tuesday night when they host their home opener against Akron Wayne at 7:00 p.m.  Live statistics will be available during the contest at http://www.sidearmstats.com/malone/wbball/scoreboard.aspx