The Malone University women's basketball team suffered a 76-56 loss to rival Walsh University Saturday afternoon in North Canton to drop to 5-10 on the season and 3-6 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. The Cavaliers, who led from wire-to-wire, improved to 11-4 on the year and 7-2 in the G-MAC.
 
Recap
The Pioneers did well to recover from an early 11-4 deficit, using a pair of three-pointers from Chrissie Vaughan and Naomi Grandison to cut it to one late in the opening period. By the end of the quarter, Malone remained within one point, down just 15-14.
 
The second-quarter, however, changed what was an evenly-matched contest solely into Walsh's favor. The Cavaliers outscored Malone 13-0 over nearly the first eight minutes of the frame and the Pioneers went the entire quarter without a field goal. Four late free throws accounted for Malone's only points of the period as they eventually went to the half down 30-18.
 
Using a significant size and depth advantage, Walsh pulled away in the second half and extended its lead to as many as 22 points in the third quarter. After scoring 32 points over the first three quarters, Malone totaled 24 in the final stanza, but the Cavs maintained at least a 17-point lead for the duration of the game to cruise to their third-straight win in the rivalry matchup.
 
Game Highlights
-The Pioneers made 11-of-16 (68.8%) from the field in the final quarter, but were just 12-of-44 (27.2%) over the first three.
-Altogether, Malone shot 23-of-60 (38.3%) from the field and just 4-of-17 (23.5%) from deep. The four three-pointers marked a season low.
-Walsh shot 30-of-59 (50.8%) from the field and 7-of-15 (46.7%) from range.
-The Cavaliers dominated the glass, outrebounding Malone 41-21 and outscoring Malone 12-5 in second chances.
-Walsh recorded a 13-0 advantage in fast-break points and the Cav bench held a 38-10 margin over Malone's
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Freshman guard Robin Campbell scored a team-high 20 points, including 12 in the second half. It was the second time she's reached 20 points in her career. Campbell scored a season-high 27 against Lake Superior State in Walsh's arena earlier this season.
-Ellen Doyle chipped in with nine points, all of which came in the second half.
-Sydney Wentling totaled eight points.
-Naomi Grandison provided seven tallies.
 
Walsh Individual Highlights
-Three different Cavaliers, Quionche Carter, Lexie Scarton, and Hannah Blake, each finished with 13 points.
-Mayci Sales added 10 points, five rebounds, and two steals.
 
Up Next
The Pioneers travel to Painesville to take on Lake Erie next Thursday, January 17th at 5:30 pm.