A day after scoring 25 points in the fourth quarter during a comeback win over Caldwell (NJ), the Malone University women's basketball team netted 34 first-quarter points before cruising to an 86-42 victory over Nyack College (NY) Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers wrapped up their New York City trip 2-0 and upped their season record to 6-4 with the win.

Carrying the momentum over from Friday night's victory, the Pioneers led from start to finish. The 34 points in the first was the most in any quarter all season, surpassing the previous high of 26. Malone got off to a torrid start to the game, knocking down 11 of its first 14 shots including 4-of-5 from three-point range. While the offense got it done on one end shooting over 75% from the floor, the defense shut down the Warriors on the other end, forcing contested jumper after contested jumper. Nyack finished the first quarter just 3-of-15 (20.0%) from the field as Malone led 34-8 after one.

The pace slowed in a much more evenly contested second quarter. The Warriors shooting struggles continued but they benefitted from seven Malone turnovers. The Pioneers still managed to connect on six of 13 field goals in the quarter including three more treys to help turn an 18-16 second-quarter advantage into a 52-24 halftime lead. Rachel Goddard, who dropped a season-high 29 points on Friday night, led Malone with 15 points through the first 20 minutes while Baylen Dyrlund had already scored 11 and hauled in nine rebounds.

While the offense sputtered a bit in the third quarter to the tune of 14 points on just 30.8% (4-of-13) shooting, the Pioneer defense continued to limit the Nyack buckets. The Warriors totaled just eight points in the quarter on 4-for-19 (21.1%) shooting. Dyrlund netted five points in the frame and pulled down two more rebounds to reach the double-double as Malone led 66-32 entering the fourth.

With the Pioneer bench seeing extensive court time in the fourth quarter, Malone continued to get it done defensively, holding Nyack to just 4-of-14 (28.6%) shooting and forcing seven turnovers. Eight different Pioneers combined for Malone's 20 fourth-quarter points including freshman Marina Rarick who tallied her first collegiate point on a late free throw. Fellow freshman Katie Brehm, who was also seeing her first varsity action, collected a late rebound in the Pioneers' complete victory.

Game Highlights
-The 86 points marked a season-high for the Pioneers. Their 48.3% (28-58) field goal shooting percentage also marked a season-high.
-Nyack's 42 points marked a season-low scoring output. The Warriors finished just 18-of-69 (26.1%) from the field.
-With the plethora of missed shots, the Pioneers pulled down a season-high 53 rebounds including 41 on the defensive end. Malone's +20 rebounding margin (53-33) was the highest of the season.
-Malone drained exactly nine threes for the third straight game, finishing 9-for-21 (42.9%) from beyond the arc.
-The Pioneer bench accounted for 26 points and 25 rebounds.

Malone Individual Highlights
-Baylen Dyrlund's double-double marked her second of the season. Her 21 points (7-12 FG, 2-2 3PT, 5-7 FT) and 13 rebounds were both season-highs.
-Despite a season-low six rebounds, Hannah McCue stuffed the statsheet, finishing with 12 points and three assists while matching season-highs in blocks (3) and steals (4).
-Rachel Goddard was exceptional once again, collecting 18 points (6-9 FG, 2-3 3 PT, 4-5 FT) along with five rebounds, three assists, and a pair of steals
-Naomi Grandison chipped in with nine points on 4-of-5 shooting
-Holly Groff totaled nine rebounds in just 19 minutes off the bench

Nyack Individual Highlights
-Yamalis Villegas was the only player to reach double digits, finishing with 11 points
-Bryanna Brown totaled six points, a team-high five rebounds, and two steals

Up Next:
Malone will return to the hardwood on December 28th when it meets NCAA Division I Bowling Green State University. Tipoff for the road exhibition is set for 7:00 pm.