The Malone University women's basketball fell behind early and was unable to recover on Saturday evening, suffering a tough 70-46 defeat in its Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest at Northwood (MI) University.

The Timberwolves (5-3 overall, 3-1 GLIAC) netted the first six points of the evening, taking command early on by outscoring Malone (4-3 overall, 2-2 GLIAC) 15-4 over the first eight minutes.  The Pioneers would trim the deficit to 23-17 on a basket by forward Emma Havener with 5:40 to play in the opening stanza.  However, this six-point margin was as close as Malone would get over the remainder of the contest.  Northwood stretched its advantage to 37-21 at intermission and then maintained a sizable lead throughout the second half.

Guard Rachel Goddard posted 13 points to lead the way for the Pioneers.  Forward Tara Schaffter contributed seven points off the bench while Havener and forward Bri Libertore each registered six points.  Guard Selana Reale added five points and season-high 12 rebounds.

Lauren Robak paced the Timberwolves with a game-high 18 points.

The Pioneers will return to action on Friday when the squad travels to Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland for a 2:00 p.m. non-conference match-up against Saint Joseph's (IN) College.