The eight-game winning streak by the Malone University women's basketball team came to an abrupt end Thursday night as the Pioneers suffered a disappointing 73-61 loss to Cedarville University.

After shooting a season-best 50% at Kentucky Wesleyan last Saturday, Malone shot a season-low 31.1% and collected a season-low 28 rebounds. Despite leading by seven at halftime, the Pioneers managed just 20 points on six made field goals across the final two quarters as the Yellow Jackets' defensive intensity lifted the hosts to the victory.
 
In the first quarter, the two teams played closed to even for the first six minutes before an 11-0 run over a two-minute stretch by the Pioneers turned an 11-11 tie into a 22-11 advantage.  Cedarville closed out the quarter with four straight points but Malone sill led 22-15. The Pioneers used 10 first-quarter free throws to aid their cause as they seemed to have no trouble getting to the basket in the session. Senior forward Hannah McCue scored nine points in the opening frame to give Malone the boost.
 
The points kept coming for McCue in the second period as Malone led throughout. Her three-pointer at the 4:55 mark put Malone up 32-25 but Cedarville stayed close and narrowed the lead to one possession on three separate occasions. Leading 37-34, Malone closed out the quarter with four points in the final 37 seconds. A shot-clock-beating jumper by Paiten Strother off an inbounds pass and two late free throws, generated off a fastbreak layup, by Rachel Goddard gave Malone a seven-point edge at the half.
 
Despite being outrebounded 25-15, Malone benefitted from just one first-half turnover en route to the 41-34 halftime lead. Both teams posted identical 13-of-32 (40.6%) shooting totals in the first half.
 
After an impressive first half in which Malone led by as many 11 points, the Pioneers just didn't have it in the final 20 minutes. The Yellow Jackets used a 13-0 run in the first four minutes of the third quarter to open up a 47-41 advantage.  Malone closed to within one point on a Dani Drayer three-pointer and then again on a Baylen Dyrlund baseline jumper before Cedarville started to pull away.
 
To their credit, the Pioneers were able to cut a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to just five points when McCue's three-pointer at the 3:21 mark made it 64-59, but Malone missed seven straight field goals to end the game. Cedarville offset two Goddard free throws with nine freebies to seal their fate in the final minutes.
 
With the loss, Malone dropped to 11-5 overall and 4-1 in the G-MAC. The Pioneers dropped out of a first-place tie with Ursuline to second place in the standings. The Yellow Jackets, meanwhile, improved to 9-7 overall and 3-2 in the G-MAC.
 
Game Highlights
-The loss marked the 21st straight time that Malone has been defeated by Cedarville. The last win in the series came In 2001.
-The Pioneers were dominated on the glass as their 28 rebounds was countered by 46 by Cedarville. The Yellow Jackets were able to turn 10 offensive rebounds into 12 second chance points.
-Cedarville also dominated points in the paint, doubling up Malone 32-16.
-The Yellow Jackets' 2-3 matchup zone gave Malone fits in the second half as the Pioneers shot just 6-of-29 (20.7%). Malone finished 19-of-61 from the field.
-Bright spots for the Pioneers were their 18-of-19 (94.7%) day at the free throw line and their 10 total steals.
 
 Malone Individual Highlights
-Hannah McCue tied a season-high with 23 points, but managed just seven in the second half. She added a team-high nine rebounds to go along with three blocks and two steals.
-Rachel Goddard totaled 12 points, four assists, a pair of steals, and was a perfect 8-of-8 at the line.
-Baylen Dyrlund added 10 points and three steals.
-Chrissie Vaughan also collected three steals.
-Dani Drayer tossed in six points on a pair of three-pointers
 
Cedarville Individual Highlights
-6'3" center Breanne Watterworth had her way inside, finishing with 20 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks
-5'5" guard Baylee Bennett matched Watterworth with 20 points on 4-of-8 three-point shooting.
-Yellow Jackets leading scorer Regina Hochstetler matched her season average with 16 points to go with a game-high five assists.
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers will hope to bounce back when they visit Ohio Valley University this Saturday, January 21st for a 2:00 pm matchup. Preview notes are available by clicking here.