The Malone University women's basketball team drained 16 three-pointers, one shy of a season-high, in an 86-39 non-conference victory over visiting Bluefield State College, Tuesday night in Osborne Hall. The 86 points matched a season-high while the 39 points allowed matched a season-low for the Pioneers who improved to 20-6 on the season, stretched their overall winning streak to eight games, and extended their home winning streak to 10 games.
 
The Pioneers held a slim 9-6 advantage over the first six minutes of the game on the strength of back-to-back three-pointers by Hannah McCue and Mackenzie Storlie. Following a Bluefield State layup that made it 9-8, Storlie and McCue each went deep again as Malone used an 8-2 run to close out the first quarter up 17-10.
 
Another BSC bucket made it 17-12 before the Pioneers began to pull away in the second quarter. An 11-0 run, capped off by a pair of threes from Rachel Goddard, made it 28-12 midway through the frame. Five Malone layups over the final three minutes helped the Pioneers take a 38-18 edge into halftime.
 
The Pioneers connected on five three pointers, two more by Goddard, two by Dani Drayer, and another by Natalie Nickol, in the third quarter and extended their lead to 61-28 heading into the fourth.
 
Malone employed an all-freshman lineup in the fourth quarter and outscored the Blues 25-11. The young freshmen connected on five more threes, two by Sydney Wentling, two by Abbegael Esterak, and another from Drayer, to help secure the 86-39 win.
 
Game Highlights
-The Pioneer bench scored a season-high 47 points, including 33 in the second half.
-Overall, Malone shot 48.5% (32-of-66) from the field and 42.1% (16-of-38) from beyond the arc.
-The Pioneers were also credited with a season-high 26 assists on their 32 made field goals.
-Malone outrebounded the Blues 47-31 on the night and 26-11 in the second half.
-Malone also forced 22 Bluefield State miscues into 26 points off turnovers. The Pioneers recorded 13 steals on the night.
-Bluefield State shot just 23.5% (12-for-51) from the floor and 18.2% (4-for-22) from distance.
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Rachel Goddard scored a game-high 18 points and five assists while shooting 7-of-9 from the floor and 4-for-4 from three-point range.
-Dani Drayer notched a season-high 13 points and grabbed a season-high nine rebounds to go along with two steals, and two assists in 21 minutes off the bench.
-In a starting role, Hannah McCue delivered another impressive performance, contributing 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks.
-Sydney Wentling posted 10 points and three steals.
-Naomi Grandison added 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting
-Mackenzie Storlie (2-2 3PT) finished with seven points, four boards, four assists, two steals, and a block.
-Sydney Foster netted four points and four fourth-quarter assists.
 
Bluefield State Individual Highlights
-Tanasia Blake led the Blues with 15 points, 11 boards, and three steals
-Lyndsay Hatfield totaled 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals
 
Up Next:
Malone will close out the regular season with a G-MAC showdown against Ursuline this Saturday, February 25th as part of Senior Day. The Pioneers suffered a 77-74 defeat to the Arrows earlier this year.