The Malone University women's basketball team picked up a 62-50 win over Alderson Broaddus University in its Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) opener Thursday night in Osborne Hall.  The Pioneer win marked the 10th straight victory over G-MAC opponents dating back to last season's Championship run. Malone now sits at 2-1 overall, while the Battlers drop to 0-2 on the young season.
 
Recap
The Pioneers raced out to a 10-0 lead on four early baskets, including three-pointers from Chrissie Vaughan and Sydney Wentling, in a frenetic first quarter that featured 13 combined turnovers. Another three-pointer from Dani Drayer late in the period extended the lead to 15-4 before the Battlers reeled off six straight. A second Drayer three countered by a Battler free throw left the Pioneers up 18-11 after one.
 
In a slowed-paced second quarter, the Pioneers held AB scoreless over the first six minutes, using a 7-0 run to stretch the lead to 25-11. Malone limited the Battlers to just six points down the first-half stretch as two Wentling buckets gave the hosts a 29-17 advantage heading into the break.
 
Another Drayer triple midway through the third quarter increased Malone's lead to 44-27, marking the largest of the game. The Battlers answered with a 13-2 run to trim the deficit to six points going into the fourth quarter.
 
Malone responded with six straight points to begin the final frame as Vaughan's corner three made it 52-40. Alderson Broaddus never came any closer than nine points the rest of the way as the Pioneers milked the clock to came away with the 62-50 wire-to-wire victory.
 
Game Highlights
-Malone, who entered the game as the #1-ranked free-throw shooting team in the country, finished 14-of-18 (77.8%) at the line, including 9-of-12 in the fourth quarter.
-The Pioneers held the Battlers to just 32.8% (19-58) shooting, but shot just 31.3% (20-64) from the field themselves.
-Malone was credited with an assist on 17 of their 20 made baskets, while the Battlers totaled just six.
-AB maintained a 22-16 edge in points in the paint, but committed 21 turnovers. The Pioneers coughed up 17 turnovers.
-Malone held a 43-40 rebounding advantage and a 24-8 edge in bench points.
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Sydney Wentling recorded 12 of those bench points to go along with six rebounds.
-Chrissie Vaughan was 4-of-7 from three-point range and led Malone with 14 points and three assists
-Dani Drayer knocked down 3-of-5 three-point attempts, finishing the game with nine points, four rebounds, and three assists in 18 minutes off the bench.
-Starting forwards Baylen Dyrlund and Naomi Grandison each chipped in with eight points. Dyrlund added a team-high seven rebounds
-Holly Groff totaled eight points, six boards, three assists, and two steals
 
Alderson Broaddus Individual Highlights
-Danielle Franklin tossed in a game-high 19 points to lead the Battlers.
-Spain native Myriam Garcia collected 13 points, a game-high 11 rebounds, and five blocks.
-Jordan Parker added 10 points, eight rebounds, and three steals.
 
Up Next
Malone will face Davis & Elkins College this Saturday, December 2nd in a 3:00 pm home tipoff.