Box Score

The Malone University women's basketball team (19-8, 14-7 GLIAC) withstood a late rally by the University of Findlay (11-14, 8-13 GLIAC) on Saturday afteroon, holding off the feisty Oilers 74-67.

The Pioneers, behind the play of senior Sydnee Penn and her game-high 18 points, held a 70-58 lead over Findlay with 2:47 to play. However, Findlay's Nikki Gunning converted an old-fashioned three-point play and then followed that up with a three-pointer to cut the lead to six with 1:40 remaining. The Oilers would knock down three-of-four free-throw attempts over the next minute, while holding Malone scoreless, to make it a one possession game at 70-67.

As they have done so many times this year, Malone turned to junior Selana Reale in the clutch; as usual, Reale delivered with two crucial free-throws to up the lead to five. Malone would then force a defensive stop and Penn would add two more free-throws to cement the victory.

Three other Malone players joined Penn in double figures. Reale missed out on a double-double by just two rebounds, finishing with 12 points and eight boards. Senior Deborah Simmers added 10 points and five rebounds, freshman Brooke Zwayer dropped 10 points in just nine minutes of action, junior Lindsy Snyder registered eight points and eight rebounds, and junior Logan Pastor posted six points, nine rebounds, and four assists.

The Pioneers shot 27-of-57 (47%) from the field and 7-of-16 (44%) from downtown, while holding Findlay to just 23-of-61 (38%) shooting and 8-of-22 (36%) on three-pointers. Each team connected on 13 free-throws but Malone attempted just 15 to Findlay's 19. Malone also owned a 43-30 advantage on the glass.

The 19th victory of the season marks the highest win total for the Malone University women's basketball program since they won 24 games back in the 2001-02 season. It also was the first time in program history that the Pioneers defeated Findlay on the Oilers' home court.

Malone will close out its regular season at home next Thursday, Feb. 27, at 6:00 pm in the 18th annual Mayors' Cup game against rival Walsh University. The Pioneers are currently fifth in the overall GLIAC Standings and still very much alive to clinch a spot in the top four, which would allow them to host a quarterfinal GLIAC Tournament contest at Osborne Hall on Wednesday, March 5.  Those schools finishing fifth through eighth will be on the road during the conference tournament's quarterfinal round

Big Times Sports Network will air the replay of both the men's and women's Mayors' Cup games locally. Time Warner Channel 989 and Massillon Cable Channel 128 in Stark and Wayne will carry the games as will Time Warner Channel 4 in Tuscarawas, Carroll, and Holmes Counties. The men's game airs on February 27 at 11:00 pm and March 1st at 4:00 pm. The women's game will be broadcasted on February 28th at 10:00 pm and March 1st at 2:00 pm.