Box Score

The Malone University women's basketball team (13-9, 9-9 GLIAC) prevailed in a defensive battle over Tiffin University 55-44 on Thursday night.

The Pioneers managed to erase a four-point halftime deficit by holding the Dragons to a dismal three of 29 (10.3%) shooting performance in the second half. Junior Sydnee Penn led the way for the Pioneers with 18 points (10 of which came in the second half) and 10 rebounds. Junior Deborah Simmers pitched in 13 points and freshman Audrey Myers added 10. Sophomore Logan Pastor played a solid all-around game finishing with seven points, nine rebounds and five assists.

Malone, which trailed 25-21 at the half, scored the first nine second-half points to turn a four point deficit into a five point lead. Penn scored six straight points during the stretch to ignite the Pioneer offense.

The Dragons (10-12, 7-11 GLIAC) stayed close by attempting 28 free-throws on the night. With the score 41-38 with four minutes to play, Malone turned to its leading scorer on the season, Deborah Simmers, to ice the game. Simmers, who was held to only two first-half points, responded by drilling a three then finishing a layup on back to back possessions to up the lead from three points to eight. Freshman Leslie Raifsnider and Penn would add layups to make the score 50-38 with 2:23 remaining before Tiffin ended the pivotal 9-0 run with a pair of free-throws.

Malone finished the night 19 of 54 (35.2%) from the floor and only 2 of 16 (12.5%) from three-point range for the game while Tiffin went 10 of 54 (18.5%) on field goals and 3-of 13 (23.1%) from long distance.

Malone will try to complete a 2-0 home stand on Saturday, Feb. 16th when the squad faces Ohio Dominican University (7-14 overall, 4-14 GLIAC) at 3:00 p.m.  Live stats and live video will be available for this contest.  In addition, Saturday is Malone Athletics Hall of Fame day when the newest five inductees to the HOF will be recognized (at halftime of the men's game and just prior to the women's game).