Box Score
After a heartbreaking 54-53 loss at Ferris State University (MI) on Thursday, the Malone University women's basketball team bounced back to earn a split during this two-game Michigan swing with a convincing 61-48 victory at Grand Valley State University (MI) on Saturday. In allowing just 48 points on the day, the Pioneers easily held an excellent GVSU squad to its lowest output of the 2012-13 season.

The victory lifted Malone to a 7-5 overall record on the campaign and to a 3-5 mark in the GLIAC while Grand Valley State fell to 9-3 overall and to 5-3 in conference play.

The host Lakers had the Pioneers' number in the early going of the contest as they pulled out to an 8-0 lead before Malone scored its first points of the contest at the 15:00 minute mark on a pair of free throws by forward Lindsy Snyder. GVSU held a 12-5 lead with 11:12 left in the first period but the Pioneers proceeded to go on a 12-1 run over the next eight minutes to grab a 17-13 lead. Malone would go on to open up a 27-19 advantage at the intermission.

In the second stanza, the visiting Pioneers kept the pressure on and held leads of between six and 10 points until midway through the period. But GVSU, trailing 41-32 with 11:11 remaining, went on a 10-0 run of its own to grab a brief 42-41 lead. Malone would not be overcome, though, as the team broke the game wide open with an 18-4 run for a 59-46 advantage at the 1:05 mark before collecting the 61-48 final victory.

Four Pioneer starters reached double-digit scoring led by guard Logan Pastor who ripped the nets for a game-best 17 points while also yanking down a game-high 11 rebounds. Guards Deborah Simmers and Selana Reale tossed in 12 points apiece with Reale collecting a solid nine rebounds on the day as well. Snyder contributed 10 points and three rebounds to the Pioneer cause. In addition, guard Sydnee Penn posted six points, five rebounds and a team-high (tied with Pastor) three assists.

The Lakers were paced in scoring by Briauna Taylor who tallied 13 points while Alex Stelfox led the squad in rebounds with nine.

Malone tossed in 37.7% (20-53) of its field goal attempts while holding GVSU to just 31.7% (19-60). From long range, the Pioneers sank four of 13 for 30.8% while the Lakers netted five of 24 for 20.8%. One of the keys to the Pioneer victory was the squad's ability to take advantage of its trips to the free throw line as they hit an impressive 17 of 19 for 89.5% while GVSU made just five of nine for 55.6%.  In addition, Malone held a slight 38-35 edge on the boards.

Malone will next compete in a home contest against GLIAC South foe Lake Erie College (2-8, 0-7 GLIAC) on Thursday, January 10th at 8:00 p.m. Live stats and live video will be available for this contest.