Box Score

The Malone University women's basketball team endured a heart-breaking, one-point defeat at Ferris State (MI) University on Thursday night as Bulldog guard Ashley Rando sank two free throws with just 0.8 seconds remaining on the clock to lift the hosts to a dramatic 54-53 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory.

The back-and-forth contest featured 11 ties and 13 lead changes as Malone's 20-14 advantage with 9:15 to play in the first half marked the largest lead for either team.  The Pioneers trailed 34-33 at halftime and then by a 50-47 margin with just over four minutes to play before buckets by guard Audrey Myers and forward Deborah Simmers put Malone on top 51-50 with 1:48 remaining. 

Ferris re-took the lead moments later on a jumper by guard Sarah DeShone but Myers answered back for the Pioneers, banking in a driving shot off the backboard with 25.5 seconds showing on the clock to put the visitors in front 53-52. 

Although Ferris State's first attempt to take the lead was blocked by Myers, the Bulldogs got the ball back with time for one more play.  As the clock ticked towards zero, Simmers appeared to intercept a Ferris State pass, but was instead called for a foul, sending Rando to the line for a 1-and-1 attempt.  The junior stepped to the stripe and hit both clutch free throws with less than a second remaining to put the Bulldogs ahead 54-53.  Malone tried to heave the ball up the court for a desperation shot, but the Pioneers were unable to get off an attempt before the final horn sounded.

The narrow victory stretched Ferris State's winning streak to five straight as the Bulldogs improved to 7-3 overall and 6-1 in conference play.  The loss dropped Malone to 6-5 overall and 2-5 in the GLIAC.

Simmers scored Malone's first 10 points of the evening and ended the night with a team-high 16.  Forward Sarah Bardall provided a lift off the bench with nine points while Myers added eight points, including the two big baskets in the decisive final moments.  Guard Selana Reale registered seven points and three assists while guard Logan Pastor contributed six points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Rando was the Bulldogs' leading scorer with 17 points.  She also grabbed four steals and five rebounds.  DeShone added 13 points, five boards, four assists and four steals.

The Pioneers held a commanding 40-29 edge in total rebounds but also committed a season-high 25 turnovers.  Malone went to the foul line just four times over the course of the evening, hitting three of those attempts.  Ferris State countered by sinking eight of 11 (72.7%) free throws.  From the floor, the Pioneers converted on 24 of 58 (41.4%) shots despite making just two of 21 (9.5%) attempts from beyond the three-point line.  The Bulldogs posted nearly an identical percentage from the floor at 40.4% (21 of 52), but were more efficient from long-range, connecting on four of 10 (40%) three-pointers.

Malone will be back in action on Saturday afternoon as the squad continues its trip to Michigan with a 3:00 p.m. contest at Grand Valley State University (9-2 overall, 5-2 GLIAC).  The Malone Sports Network will provide live audio during the contest at www.malonepioneers.com/showcase.  GVSU will also offer live video and statistics.  Click here for links to the multimedia coverage.