Box Score

The Malone University women's basketball team concluded its 2011-12 regular season at Cedarville University Saturday afternoon, losing to the host Yellow Jackets 81-63. With the loss, the Pioneers fell to 12-14 on the year while Cedarville improved to 19-7 overall. Despite the loss, Malone will still compete in the seven-team Ohio Independent Championships postseason, which begins next Tuesday (see postseason info at bottom).

Early on in the contest, Malone held an 8-7 lead before Cedarville went on a 22-6 run to take a 29-14 lead with seven minutes left in the half. The hosts then stretched their lead to 42-25 at the intermission.

In the second half, the Pioneers battled toe to toe with the hosts to keep the margin from growing and even cut their deficit to 13 points, at 64-51 with 8:22 remaining. That would be as close as Malone would come to the Yellow Jackets, though, as Cedarville maintained its 17-point halftime advantage and edged Malone by a point in second half play to secure the 81-63 victory.

Malone netted 21 of 52 field goal attempts for 40.4% while Cedarville connected on 31 of 63 for 49.2%. The Yellow Jackets also held the edge from three-point range, hitting 12 of 27 tries for 44.4%, while the Pioneers drilled seven of 16 for 43.8%. At the foul line, Malone had the upper hand, converting 14 of 17 for 82.4%, while Cedarville sank seven of nine for 77.8%. The rebounding battle was fairly even with the Pioneers grabbing a slight 35-31 advantage.

Forward Lindsy Snyder paced Malone with 20 points (tied for game high), on eight-of-13 shooting from the floor, while also adding a game-high nine rebounds. Guard Selana Reale followed with 14 points, including a three-of-three effort from three-point range, to go along with her four rebounds and team-best five assists. Guard Sydnee Penn also hit double digit scoring with 12 points (including a pair of three-point baskets) while adding three rebounds and two assists. In addition, forward Sarah VanVoorhis chipped in with nine points and a pair of rebounds.

Cedarville was led in scoring by Kayla Jenerette with 20 points followed by Kara Cayton with 14 points. Raegan Ryan and Deborah Gordon paced the team in rebounds with five apiece.

Ohio Independent Championships postseason : Malone will now compete in the seven-team OIC postseason tournament, an event which will be seeded based upon a team's record against the other teams in this playoff. The first round is set for Tuesday, February 28th and official seedings and pairings (with game times) will be released by Monday morning. Cedarville (11-1) has earned the top seed in the event and will receive the only first-round bye and will also host the event's semifinals and finals on Friday, March 2nd and Saturday, March 3rd. On Tuesday, the #2 seed will host #7, #3 will host #6 and #4 will host #5. First-round winners will join Cedarville in Friday's semifinals. Although unofficial, it appears that Malone (4-6) will receive the #5 seed and will travel to Central State (3-3), the likely #4 seed. Other likely first-round pairings on Tuesday are #7 Ursuline (0-10) at #2 Notre Dame (OH) (7-3) and #6 Walsh (2-6) at #3 Urbana (7-5).