The Malone University women's basketball team picked up their 17th win of the season with an 84-43 non-conference victory over Salem International University Tuesday Night in West Virginia. The win matched Malone's combined total of 17 over their previous two seasons. The win also marked the fifth straight for the Pioneers who registered 44 bench points in their Valentine's Day win.
 
Points were hard to come by for both teams in the early going, as Malone led just 6-4 through the first seven minutes on a pair of three-pointers from Alaina Schwarz and Chrissie Vaughan. A Hannah McCue jumper finally sparked a 13-2 run over the final three minutes of the first period to give Malone a 19-6 lead.
 
The Pioneers stretched their lead to as many 15 points in the opening minutes of the second quarter  before the Tigers used a 7-0 run to trim the deficit to eight points (27-19) with four minutes remaining in the first half. The hosts would never come any closer as Malone began to pull away. A 13-3 run gave the Pioneers a cushy 40-22 lead at the intermission.
 
Malone extended its lead to 68-32 after three quarters on the strength of 13-of-14 free throw shooting. Head coach Rick Tice emptied his bench in the fourth quarter as the Pioneer reserves helped Malone secure the 84-43 victory.
 
Game Highlights
-The Pioneers converted a season-high 95.7% (22-23) of their free throws.
-Overall, Malone shot 39.2% (27-of-68) from the field and collected 21 assists on the 27 made field goals
-Malone held SIU to just 21.2% (14-for-66) shooting, which marked the lowest percentage by a Malone opponent this season.
-Salem International forced Malone into 19 turnovers. Their 15 steals marked the highest total by a Malone opponent this season.
-The Pioneers held a 42-29 rebounding advantage and a 44-13 edge in bench scoring.
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Naomi Grandison tied a season-high with 14 points to lead the Pioneers off the bench
-Rachel Goddard tallied 13 points and four assists.
-Baylen Dyrlund provided 10 first-half points and three assists.
-Hannah McCue added eight points, 10 rebounds, two steals, and a block.
-Dani Drayer chipped in with six points, three assists, three rebounds, and three steals in 10 minutes off the bench.
-Paiten Strother contributed five points, three assists, and two steals.
-Holly Groff totaled six points and seven rebounds
 
Salem International Individual Highlights
-Jiahna Flood-Francis led the Tigers with 12 points and two assists.
-Keishla Gilmore added eight points, three steals, and two assists.
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers will resume their conference schedule on Thursday, February 16th when they visit Davis & Elkins College. A win on Thursday will give Malone a first-round bye in the G-MAC Tournament.