Archived Video Broadcast

The Malone University women's basketball team's season concluded on Thursday night with its second setback of the year to rival Walsh, falling to the Cavaliers 64-51 in front of a capacity crowd in Osborne Hall. Walsh handed Malone a 60-49 loss earlier this month.
 
The Cavaliers opened up a 10-2 lead early on as the Pioneers missed their first six shots of the contest. But back-to-back Rachel Goddard layups and a pair from three-pointers from senior Tara Schaffter, who played in her final collegiate game Thursday night, and Alahna Singleton gave Malone its own 10-2 run and a 12-12 tie. Walsh would take a 15-14 lead into the second quarter.
 
A jumper from Rachel Goddard gave Malone its first lead of the game at 16-15 just seconds into the second stanza. The two teams traded baskets as Malone sharpshooters Chrissie Vaughan and Alaina Schwarz buried triples to tie it up at 22-22. A number of hustle plays from Schwarz and senior Bri Libertore, also appearing in her final game, kept the score close. The duo evenly split six offensive rebounds but the Cavaliers took a 32-28 lead into the break.
 
After a fluid first half that saw the two teams combine for 65 shot attempts and just five fouls, third-quarter possessions were at a premium. The two teams managed just 21 total field goal attempts in the frame. Down 36-30 midway through the third quarter, Malone scored on three straight possessions. A driving layup from Libertore, a turnaround jumper from Schaffter, and an open three on the wing from Chrissie Vaughan helped cut the deficit to 40-37. Another three from Vaughan and a pair of free throws from Libertore kept the Pioneers within a possession, down only 45-42 heading into the final frame.
 
Like in the previous meeting, Malone trailed by a single possession going into the fourth quarter and just like the previous meeting, Walsh came away with a double-digit win. After a Rachel Goddard free throw made it 49-45 midway through the 4th, the Cavaliers outscored Malone 15-6 in the final five minutes to hang on for their third straight win over Malone. With the win, Walsh captured its third consecutive Mayors' cup, their 19th victory of the season, and a GLIAC quarterfinal home game. Malone finished the season with a 9-18 record and a 6-16 mark in the GLIAC.

Malone Individual Highlights:

• Goddard gave a gutsy effort, contributing a team-high 16 points and three assists...for the season she finished the regular season with a team-high 14.0 points per game and a GLIAC high 116 assists
• Schaffter tallied 10 points and five rebounds in last career game
• Libertore pulled down a team-high seven rebounds to go along with eight points in her final game
• Vaughan added nine points on three triples and six rebounds
• Schwarz picked up five points and four boards

Walsh Individual Highlights:

• Junior guard Brooklyn Wooten scored a season-high 23 points to lead the Cavaliers
• Forward Holly Grober provided 14 points and eight rebounds
• Guard Jalynn Graham added 10 points, three assists, and two steals

Game Highlights:

• Malone finished with a 33-32 rebounding edge but recorded just one of their 11 offensive rebounds in the second half
• Walsh forced Malone into 12 turnovers, converting them into 16 points
• The Cavaliers shot 46.2% (24-52) while the Pioneers shot 33.3% (18-54) from the field
• Malone knocked down 6-of-22 (27.3%) of their threes while Walsh was just 3-of-17 (17.6%)
• The Pioneers finished the season with a school record 216 three-pointers