The Malone University women's basketball team scored a season-high 84 points against NCAA DII #6 Ashland University but it wasn't enough as the Eagles prevailed 97-84 Saturday in Osborne Hall

After posting identical 22-18 scores in the first and second quarters, Ashland took an eight point lead into the half after shooting 18-of-34 (52.9%). Malone, down 37-25 midway through the second quarter, used an 11-0 run to make it a 37-36 before the Eagles scored the final seven points of the half. The Pioneers connected on 7-of-15 (46.7%) shots from beyond the arc and their 36 points tied the most given up by Ashland in the first half all season.

The offensive showcase continued in the second half as the two teams combined for 101 points and 15 three-pointers. Malone cut the Ashland lead to 44-39 just seconds into the second-half on a three-pointer by Pioneer freshman Chrissie Vaughan that opened the scoring gates. However, the Pioneers never got any closer as the nationally ranked Eagles showed their might, outscoring the Pioneers 28-18 in remainder of the third quarter while shooting 12-of-18 from the floor.

Malone managed to outscore the Eagles 27-25 in the final frame thanks in large part to outstanding three-point shooting. The Pioneers drained five treys in the quarter and nine in the half on just 12 attempts (75%). An NBA range three-ball by Maddalyn Repp in the final minute gave Malone its 16th make of the night and the 2nd-highest total in school history (the Pioneers hit 19 threes in a win over Akron-Wayne in 2012). With a chance to crack the century mark on the last possession, Ashland dribbled out the clock to secure the 97-84 victory.

• Chrissie Vaughan bucketed 5 treys in the game, finishing with a game-high 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists
• In addition to reaching the 500 career-points milestone in the first quarter, Tara Schaffter registered 17 points (6-12 FG, 3-4 3 PT), 5 boards, and 4 assists
• Rachel Goddard set a career-high with 13 assists...she added 7 markers, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals
• Senior Bri Libertore set a career-mark with 16 points on 8-11 shooting and pulled down a team-high 9 rebounds
• Guard Alaina Schwarz, garnering her first start of the season, chipped with 9 points on 3 triples
• In 17 minutes off the bench, Naomi Grandison added 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-2 3PT) 

• Senior guard McKenzie Miller led all scorers with 26 points (8-15 FG, 6-13 3PT, 4-5 FT) to go along with 6 assists and 6 rebounds
• 2014-15 GLIAC Freshman of the Year Andi Daughtery tallied 21 points on 10-of-13 shooting, a team high 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals
• Sophomore forward Laina Snyder added 11 points, 6 boards, 6 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals
• Junior guard Alex Henning chipped in 6 points, a team-high 8 assists, and 3 steals

• Both teams scored season highs while also allowing season-highs...the undefeated Eagles, who came in giving up a conference-low 54.4 points a night, had not allowed more than 68 points in a game before Malone's 84 points Saturday
• The Pioneers shot a season-high 51.7% (31-60) from the field including 59.3% (16-27) from three-point range
• Ashland shot 55.7% (39-70) from the floor and 45.8% (11-24) from beyond the arc
• Malone collected 26 assists on its 31 field goals while Ashland recorded 31 assists on its 39 made shots...their 31 assists is the 4th highest output in NCAA DII this season
• The Eagles held a 35-27 advantage in rebounds, a 18-5 edge in second-chance points, and a 44-16 upper hand in points in the paint
• Malone's 16 three-pointers was the most by any GLIAC team this season

• The Pioneers (5-10, 2-8 GLIAC) will continue GLIAC South action this Thursday, January 21st 6:00 pm when Malone takes on Tiffin University led by former Malone head coach Jason Mishler