The Malone University women's basketball team suffered a 64-55 loss to Ohio Dominican University in a Great Midwest Athletic Conference battle Saturday afternoon in Osborne Hall. The Pioneers, who dropped to 3-4 on the season and 1-1 in the G-MAC, nearly erased a 26-point first-half deficit, but the visiting Panthers (4-3, 1-1 G-MAC) held on late for the road victory.
 
Recap
After an Ellen Doyle layup gave Malone a 13-11 lead midway through the first quarter, Ohio Dominican went on a torrid 31-3 scoring run over the next 10 minutes as the shell-shocked Pioneers saw themselves down 42-16 with five minutes remaining in the second quarter. Malone regrouped, however, and a Robin Campbell jumper sparked a 12-2 run to end the period, but ODU retained a 44-28 cushion at the break.
 
The Pioneers extended their run into the third quarter, scoring the first 11 points of the frame. Chrissie Vaughan's three-pointer capped the 23-2 rally which left Malone down just 44-39. Backed by a terrific defensive intensity, the Pioneers held the Panthers scoreless over the first seven minutes and 45 seconds of the quarter. Malone forced six turnovers and limited ODU to just four points on 2-of-13 shooting.
 
The Pioneers entered the fourth quarter down 48-41 and eventually cut the deficit to three points on two different occasions. Sydney Wentling brought Malone to within three points (50-47) for a second time with seven minutes to go, but the Panthers answered with a field goal on their next possession and never surrendered their advantage. Ohio Dominican did enough defensively and hit 7-of-10 free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.
 
Game Highlights
-Malone held Ohio Dominican to 22 points over the final 25 minutes.
The Panthers shot just 21.7% (5-of-23) in the second half. Overall, they were 22-for-56 (39.3%) from the field, 5-for-15 (33.3%) from three, and 15-of-18 (83.3%) at the free throw line.
-The Pioneers were 23-of-65 (35.4%) from the field and 7-of-29 (24.1%) from three. Malone went to the free throw line just three times (2-3) in the game.
-Ohio Dominican held a 40-34 edge in rebounding and both teams scored 24 points in the paint.
-The Pioneer bench outscored ODU's 14-5.
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Freshman point guard Robin Campbell scored a team-high 17 points and handed out three assists.
-In 25 minutes off the bench, Sydney Wentling scored 14 points and added three assists.
-Chrissie Vaughan provided eight points, a team-high six rebounds, and three assists.
-Ellen Doyle chipped in with eight points, five rebounds, and a blocked shot.
 
Ohio Dominican Individual Highlights
-Reigning G-MAC Player of the Week Alexa Fisher finished with a game-high 21 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
-Hannah Clark added 12 points, including a three-pointer late in the fourth quarter, and three assists.
-Olivia Fox totaled 10 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
 
Up Next
Malone begins a lengthy stretch of road games next Thursday, December 6th at defending G-MAC Champion Hillsdale.