Box Score
The Malone University women's basketball team matched NCAA Division II #1 ranked Ashland University step-for-step in the first half Saturday afternoon, but couldn't keep pace in the second stanza as the Eagles pulled away for an 81-57 victory at Osborne Hall.

Sophomore Logan Pastor was dominant for the Pioneers in the first half, scoring 20 points on 9-12 shooting. Deborah Simmers added 10 first-half points including a pair of triples to send Malone (8-6, 4-6 GLIAC) into the locker room with a 33-32 lead. It was the first time Ashland had trailed at the half all season.

However, the Eagles (17-0, 10-0 GLIAC), who entered the game with a streak of 41 consecutive regular season victories and 28 straight wins against GLIAC foes, rallied in the second half behind their star player, Kari Daugherty.

Daugherty, who leads the nation in rebounding and doubles-doubles and entered the game 3rd in the nation in scoring, reeled off 15 points in the half's opening five minutes to turn a 1-point halftime deficit into a 52-36 lead. She would finish the game with a career-high 39 points and 19 rebounds for her 34th consecutive double-double.

Pastor ended the night boasting a new career-high of 24 points to go along with a team-high seven rebounds. Simmers was second on the team in scoring with 13 points.

Ashland finished the game 28-58 from the field (48.3%), 7-18 from three (38.9%) and a perfect 18-18 from the foul line thanks in large part to Daugherty's 14-14 effort from the stripe. Malone shot an impressive 43.8% from the floor in the first half, but slumped to a 26.3% mark in the second half to finish the game at 24-70 (34.3%).

The Pioneers will try to bounce back from the loss on Thursday, January 17th when they play away at Tiffin University (7-7 overall, 4-6 GLIAC) with tipoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m.  Fans can listen to live audio of the game on the Malone Sports Network (www.malonepioneers.com/showcase)