The Malone University women's basketball team will close out its home schedule this weekend against Kentucky Wesleyan College on Thursday and Trevecca Nazarene University on Saturday in a pair of crucial Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) contests.
 
With just five games left in the regular season, it could be a make or break week for the Pioneers, who, at 6-11 in the G-MAC (8-13 overall), are currently on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. Kentucky Wesleyan, currently 8-9 in the G-MAC and 12-9 overall, sits in seventh place while Trevecca Nazarene (8-15, 6-11 G-MAC) is tied with Malone in ninth.
 
Senior Day, Hall of Fame, and 50 Years of Women's Basketball
The Pioneers will recognize their seniors on Saturday prior to the start of the game. The 2018 Hall of Fame Class will also be honored on Saturday during the men's game that begins at 1:00 pm. Among this year's inductees is women's basketball player and 2007 graduate Nicki (Parson) Thompson, the third all-time leading scorer in Pioneer history (1,965 points). She and a host of other former players and coaches will be recognized during Saturday's game as Malone celebrates 50 years of women's basketball. A reception and dinner will follow in the Johnson Center; those interested in attending can still register online at: www.malone.edu/alumni/events/coming-events-info/
 
GameDay
2/8 Malone vs. Kentucky Wesleyan – 8:00 pm
2/10 Malone vs. Trevecca Nazarene – 3:00 pm
Video/Stats: portal.stretchinternet.com/malone
Radio: ESPN 990 AM | www.espn990.com/listen.php
 
Series History
Malone is 2-1 in three meetings with Thursday's opponent Kentucky Wesleyan, including a 73-67 loss to Panthers in early January. Malone is 3-4 in seven all-time meetings with Trevecca, earning all three wins over the last two seasons. The Pioneers defeated the Trojans 59-54 in Nashville last month.

Malone Notes 

• In that win over Trevecca, junior guard Chrissie Vaughan scored a season-high 20 points, including 17 in the second half as the Pioneers overcame a 15-point, third-quarter deficit. Vaughan hit a season-high six three-pointers in the win; one of nine games with at least three triples this season.
• Against Kentucky Wesleyan two days later, sophomore guard Sydney Wentling scored a career-high 17 points. After a rough four-game stretch in the end of January, Wentling bounced back with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting against Hillsdale last Saturday.
• In that contest, which resulted in a 66-62 loss for the Pioneers, senior forward Baylen Dyrlund scored a team-high 17 points. On the year, she remains Malone's leading scorer (12.3 ppg) and rebounder (5.6 rpg).
• Sophomore guard Holly Groff (10.1 ppg) leads the team in assists (4.0 apg) and steals (17). She's shooting 45.8% from three over her last eight games.
• Sharpshooting guard Paiten Strother (6.5 ppg) is shooting a team-best 45.9% from three on the year Over her last four games, Strother is 10-of-18 (55.6%) from distance. She scored a team-high 10 points in a 58-53 loss to Findlay last Thursday.
• Naomi Grandison, along with Strother, is one of two players shooting better from beyond the arc than inside of it. Grandison is making 42.4% of her threes and 90.5% of her free throws while averaging 9.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
• Sophomore forward Ellen Doyle has led the Pioneers in rebounding in each of the last two games. An 84.6% free-throw shooter, Doyle totaled nine points (the second-most in her career) and six boards in the loss to Findlay.
• As a team, Malone is shooting 80.2% from the free throw line, good for 6th-best in the nation. MU also ranks second in the G-MAC in defensive rebounding percentage (72.5%) and third in fewest points allowed (65.6 ppg). The offense has struggled, however, averaging just 56.8 points over the last six games as Malone has gone 1-5 over that span.
• The Pioneers will look to get on track Thursday against a Kentucky Wesleyan team that has given up at least 83 points in three of its last four games.
   

Kentucky Wesleyan Notes -  Roster | Schedule | Stats

• The Panthers are coming off an 86-75 loss to Ohio Dominican last Saturday. KWC leads the conference in steals (10.8 spg) and turnover margin (+5.38 tpg). They held a +7 turnover margin (23-16) in the win over Malone. They are also 3rd in the league in offensive rebounds (13.7 orpg) and 4th in made threes (8.1/gm).
• Freshman guard Jenna Martin (11.3 ppg) scored a career-high 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting (4-4 3PT) in the win over Malone.
• Sophomore forward Keelie Lamb leads the team in scoring (12.1 ppg), rebounding (5.5 rpg), and steals (1.9 spg).
   

Trevecca Nazarene Notes - Roster | Schedule | Stats

• After a red-hot January that featured a 5-1 stretch and a road victory over Findlay, the Trojans have cooled off lately, dropping three straight, including an 83-38 loss to Cedarville last Saturday. TNU will meet Walsh on Thursday prior to facing Malone on Saturday.
• Trevecca ranks last in the G-MAC in field goals (35.7%) and rebounding margin (-9.4 rpg), but ranks 2nd turnover margin (+4.39 tpg). The Trojans won the turnover battle (15-11) against Malone, but shot just 31.3% in the defeat.
• Junior guard Kacie Wallace and sophomore forward Mackenzie Kilburn accounted for 30 of the team's 54 point vs. Malone. On the season, Division I transfer Callie Hackett leads the team and is 7th in the G-MAC with 16.2 points per game.