The Malone University women's basketball team lost on the road to Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) opponent the University of Findlay by the final score of 81-54 on Saturday afternoon.

Both teams would start the game trading baskets during the first five minutes. Malone's Tara Schaffter would then get fouled on her way to the basket while making a layup, sending her to the free throw line. She was able to convert the three-point play to lift the Pioneers ahead 9-8 at the 15:04 mark. However, in the next seven minutes, the Oilers went on a 19-3 run which included three back-to-back-to-back three-pointers to take the lead to 27-12 with 7:24 on the clock. A basket by forward Bri Libertore ended the Pioneers' scoring drought, but Malone was unable to get within single digits over the remainder of the period and headed to the locker room at the break trailing 42-20.

The second half started out as an offensive struggle for both teams, as neither team put points on the board until Libertore made a layup at the 17:36 mark. Following an Oilers' three-pointer, the Pioneers would use a 14-8 spurt to cut the deficit to 53-36 with 12:03 on the clock. Findlay would explode from there, making six three-pointers in the final 11 minutes to seal the 81-54 victory.  

Overall, the Oilers drained 13 of their 25 (52%) attempts from deep.  Malone was never able to get on track from long range, making just two of its 24 (8.3%) tries from beyond the arc.

The Pioneers were led by freshmen guard Kristen Massey who had a season-high 16 points to go with six rebounds, two steals, and two assists, while going a perfect seven-for-seven at the free throw line. Schaffter registered a season-high 14 points while Libertore grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds and added eight points.

Malone will resume conference play at home on Monday, February 2^nd at 6:00 p.m. as they host rival Walsh University. Live video and stats will be available. Twitter updates will also be available throughout the game at @maloneathletics.