The Malone University women's basketball team came up short in its 2018-19 season opener Friday night in Osborne Hall, falling to non-conference opponent University of Wisconsin-Parkside 61-57 on day one of the G-MAC/GLIAC Women's Basketball Crossover Classic.
 
Recap
In the first game for first-year Pioneer head coach Selana Reale, the Pioneers opened up their largest lead of the contest late in the first quarter when freshman Mikayla Poole canned a three-pointer to give the hosts a 17-11 advantage. The visiting Rangers countered with back-to-back three-pointers in the closing minute to tie the score at 17-17 after one.
 
The Pioneers held Parkside to just 3-for-16 shooting in the second quarter, but committed seven turnovers and saw themselves down 27-26 at the break. Despite two third-quarter three-pointers by Chrissie Vaughan, Malone was unable to make up any ground heading into the fourth quarter and entered the final period down 41-38.
 
Parkside led for the entirety of the fourth quarter, stretching its lead to as many as 14 points (61-47) with 2:00 left to play. The resilient Pioneers scored the final 10 points of the game, but ultimately ran out of time on a comeback effort.
 
Game Highlights
-Malone held Parkside to just 32.3% (21-of-65) shooting, but allowed the Rangers to grab 17 offensive rebounds and score 11 second-chance points.
-The Pioneers were 19-of-50 (38%) from the field, 9-for-21 (42.9%) from three, and 10-of-10 from the free throw line, but were guilty of 23 turnovers.
-The Rangers held a 16-9 edge in points off of turnovers, a 12-2 edge in fast break points, and outscored Malone 28-20 in the paint.
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Freshman point guard Robin Campbell scored a team-high 19 points to go along with seven assists and five rebounds.
-Senior shooting guard Chrissie Vaughan knocked down a trio of triples and finished with 11 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
-Senior forward Naomi Grandison provided eight points, five rebounds, and two steals.
-Junior forward Ellen Doyle added seven points and four rebounds off the bench.
 
Wisconsin-Parkside Highlights
-Ali Bettencourt led the Rangers with 15 points and four rebounds
-Blair Arthur collected 13 points, four assists, and two steals.
 
Up Next
Malone will play Lake Superior State on Saturday at Walsh. Tip is set for 3:00 pm.