Archived Video Broadcast

The Malone University women's basketball team earned its third straight victory by defeating Salem International University (WV) 77-39 Tuesday night in Osborne Hall. The modest three-game win streak is the first such streak in three seasons for the Pioneers. With the win, Malone improved to 3-3 on the year while Salem Int'l fell to 0-8.
 
In a competitive first quarter, the Pioneers went up by six when Baylen Dyrlund's layup midway through the period gave Malone a 10-4 advantage. The Tigers battled back to take a lead less than three minutes later when SIU's Jiahna Flood-Francis picked a Pioneer's pocket before driving to the basket for a score. Her layup gave the Tigers a 13-12 lead that would not last for long. A Hannah McCue free throw and a Dani Drayer three-pointer put Malone back up 16-13 after one quarter.
 
In the next ten minutes, Malone played its best all-around quarter of the season, outscoring the Tigers 24-3 before taking a 40-16 tally into halftime. The Pioneers shot 56.3% (9-for-16) in the quarter, including 57.1% (4-for-7) from three, while holding SIU to just 7.7% shooting and forcing eight turnovers. The Tigers managed one field goal, an uncontested layup, and one free throw in the quarter. Back-to-back layups by Natalie Nickol in the final 36 seconds allowed Malone to close out the half on a 28-3 run.
 
The Pioneers increased their lead to 30 points before emptying the bench up 50-20 at the five-minute mark of the third quarter. A pair of Dani Drayer threes helped Malone bump its lead to 33 points before entering the fourth up 58-25.
 
With the second and third units on the floor in the fourth quarter, Malone would expand its lead to as many as 45 points. A trey by Sydney Foster followed by a jumper by Bethany Koons (her first collegiate field goal) and a layup by Ellen Doyle put the Pioneers ahead 77-32. Salem Int'l scored the game's final seven points, but Malone prevailed with the 77-39 victory.
 
Game Highlights
-Malone shot a season-best 43.5% (30-69) from the field while shooting an outstanding 12-for-24 (50.0%) from deep
-The Tigers finished the night just 10.5% (2-19) from long range, 25.0% (14-56) from the floor, and 50.0% (7-14) from the charity stripe.
-The Pioneers held a staggering 50-33 rebounding advantage. 
-Malone collected 15 offensive boards, 12 second chance points and 27 points off of 22 SIU turnovers.
-The Tigers turned the Pioneers' season-high 20 turnovers into 10 points but were outscored 11-4 in the fast break.
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Hannah McCue delivered another outstanding performance, finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and a blocked shot. Her double-double marked the third straight and fourth of the season.
-Fellow post player Baylen Dyrlund checked in with 12 points and six rebounds
-Point guard Rachel Goddard also tallied 12 points to go along with four rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block.
-Dani Drayer finished with 11 points, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and 3-for-3 from three-point range
-Holly Groff and Mackenzie Storlie each recorded four assists off the bench. Groff added six rebounds.
 
Salem Int'l Individual Highlights
-Keishla Gilmore led all scorers with 15 points.
-Flood-Francis totaled six points, five rebounds, and two steals for the Tigers.

Up Next:  Malone will play the second game of a back-to-back on Wednesday at Clarion (PA). Tipoff is set for 5:30 pm.