The Malone University women's basketball team bounced back from Thursday's loss to Cedarville with a 70-54 triumph over Ohio Valley University Saturday afternoon in Vienna West Virginia. The Pioneers' big three of Rachel Goddard, Hannah McCue, and Baylen Dyrlund combined for 56 of the 70 points as Malone climbed to 12-5 overall on the season and 5-1 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference play.
 
It was senior guard Alaina Schwarz who got the scoring started with a three-pointer on the Pioneers opening possession. From that point on, Malone would never trail but Ohio Valley was able to force a pair of first-quarter ties. After OVU tied the game for the second time at 13-13, Malone was able to take the lead with a pair of Holly Groff free throws and a Hannah McCue layup before the end of the first quarter.
 
Following an Ohio Valley bucket in the opening seconds of the second quarter, Malone used a 9-0 run, capped off by a Rachel Goddard field goal, to go ahead 26-15. Ohio Valley closed the deficit to seven points at 28-21, but Malone answered with a 9-2 run to close out the half. An old-fashioned three-point play by Baylen Dyrlund in the final minute gave Malone a 37-23 lead heading into the break.
 
The two squads played close to even for much of the second half, posting nearly identical shooting marks (MU: 11-29, OVU 11-28) and even rebounding totals (18-18). Malone watched its lead go from 21 points to 12 points on two separate occasions but the deficit proved to be too much for the Fighting Scots to overcome. The Pioneers outscored the hosts 33-31 in the final 20 minutes to prevail with the 70-54 final.
 
Game Highlights
-Malone finished the day 25-of-62 (40.3%) from the field while Ohio Valley ended up shooting 22-of-64 (34.4%)
-The Pioneers held a slim advantage in rebounds (40-36) and second chance points (12-8), but the Scots outscored Malone 26-22 in the paint and 15-8 off the bench.
-Ohio Valley struggled from the three-point line, finishing just 1-of-15 (6.7%) from distance
-Malone, meanwhile, connected on 7-of-24 three-point attempts
-The Pioneers continued to get it done at the free throw line, shooting 13-of-15 (86.7%)
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Baylen Dyrlund scored a career-high 22 points on 8-for-13 shooting. She was perfect on her lone three-pointer and perfect on all five free throws. She added four rebounds, two assists, and a block.
-Senior forward Hannah McCue had an outstanding day as well, posting her eighth double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 rebounds. The Pioneers' top shot-blocker totaled four blocked shots and three steals.
-Do everything point guard point Rachel Goddard added 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
-Paiten Strother chipped in with four points, including her first three-pointer since making four in the season-opener.
 
Ohio Valley Individual Highlights
-Forward Shicole Watts led the Scots with 16 points, seven rebounds, and game-high five assists
-Ariel Johnson recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds
-Reserve forward Anee' Braswell collected 15 points off the bench
-Jalyn Gilbert added eight points and three steals
 
Up Next:
Malone will conclude its first run through the G-MAC schedule next Saturday, January 28th with a crucial road contest with defending G-MAC Champions Ursuline College.