Box Score

Just like in its previous matchup with Walsh University (11-16, 7-14 GLIAC) on February 3rd, the Malone University women's basketball team (19-9, 14-8 GLIAC) dug itself an early hole and ran out of time in its comeback bid, dropping the Mayors' Cup showdown to the Cavs 68-60 at Osborne Hall Thursday night.

The Pioneers connected on just three of their first 20 shots in the game, allowing the Cavaliers to seize an early 30-8 lead. Malone started to find its scoring touch over the last six minutes of the first half but could still only manage to cut the lead to 41-23 at halftime.

The Pioneers came out a much more focused group in the second half, allowing their defense to ignite their offense. Walsh, which breezed its way to 45.9% shooting in the first half, only shot at a 25% clip over the last twenty minutes. After each stop, Malone pushed the ball up the floor and looked to attack the Cavalier defense before they could get numbers behind the ball.

The tactics worked early as Malone was able to whittle the Walsh lead to 46-34 just 2:30 into the second half. However, Walsh's Kelsey Funderburgh, who scored a game-high 19 points, connected on back-to-back three-pointers to push the lead back up to 18, the same as it was at halftime.

The scrappy Malone bunch would receive a huge contribution from freshman Brooke Zwayer in the second half. Her 12 second-half points helped the home side trim the deficit to 63-56 with 3:41 in the ballgame.

Senior Sydnee Penn pulled Malone to five points with a hoop and harm two minutes later, but failed to convert the ensuing free-throw, which would have cut the lead to four. Walsh would split two free throws on their next possession but the hosts failed to convert consecutive layups, forcing the Pioneers to watch Walsh ice the game away in the waning moments.

Walsh's solid free-throw shooting down the stretch allowed the visitors to hold on for the win despite the fact that the Cavs did not make a field goal over the last 9:15 of the game. They were 0-for-8 during the stretch.

Penn recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds to go along with five steals for Malone. Joining her in double-figures were junior forward Lindsy Snyder with 11 points, junior Selana Reale with 10 points, and  Zwayer with 12.

Malone finished 24-for-63 (38.1%) from the field and 6-for-20 (30%) from behind the arc. Walsh's second-half offensive struggles caused them to finish 24-for-65 (36.9%) from the floor and 9-of-31 (29%) from three.

The loss did little damage to Malone's playoff positioning. The Pioneers, the #5 seed, have likely drawn a quarterfinal road matchup versus the defending NCAA National Champions, Ashland University Eagles.  AU finished in a tie for second in the overall GLIAC standings, but will likely draw the tournament's No. 4 seed (depending on the outcome of several tiebreakers) . The teams split the season series at one win apiece. More GLIAC Postseason information will be posted on www.malonepioneers.com next week when the playoff matchups are finalized.