The Malone University women's basketball team led by as many as 17 points midway through the second quarter, but ultimately lost 79-68 to Seton Hill University (PA) in an early season non-conference matchup. With the loss, Malone dropped to 2-2 on the season while Griffins improved to 3-0.
 
Recap
Facing a Seton Hill offense which came in scoring over 90 points per game, the Pioneers held the Griffins without a field goal over the duration of the first quarter and led 19-7 at the end of the frame. Seton Hill scored its first point not on a free throw at the 8:38 mark of the second quarter when a three-pointer made it a 21-12 contest.
 
Malone continued to pour it on, however, and went up 35-18 following a three-pointer from Madison Hunter and a driving layup from Holly Groff with 4:27 remaining in the half. From there, Seton Hill forced its way back into the game and narrowed the margin to just five points at 39-34 with 13 seconds left. Alexis Hutchison answered with a buzzer-beating three-pointer just before half to put Malone in front 42-34.
 
The hosts opened the second half on a 7-0 run and eventually tied the contest at 47-47, but five straight points from Sydney Wentling and a layup from Jade Abdulla put Malone back in front 54-47. The Griffins once again fought back to tie it at 57-all before Robin Campbell sank another Pioneer buzzer-beater to give Malone a 59-57 lead headed into the fourth quarter.
 
Seton Hill would outscore Malone 22-9 in the final period as the Pioneers made only four field goals. Malone was as close as three points (65-62) with 4:55 left to play, but the home team finished the game on a 14-6 run to close out the victory.
 
Game Highlights

• Seton Hill, which defeated Division I Saint Francis earlier in the week, outscored Malone 61-33 in the final 24 minutes and 45-26 in the second half.
• Malone shot 43.3% (26-of-60) overall, 27.8% (5-13) from three, and 11-of-13 (84.6%) at the free-throw line.
• Seton Hill, which missed its first 15 field goal attempts, shot 54.9% (28-of-51) over the final three quarters.
• The Griffins outscored Malone 20-8 on the fast break, 14-6 in second chances, and 22-11 off the bench.
   

Pioneer Highlights

• Redshirt junior guard Holly Groff led Malone with 15 points and a career-high 11 rebounds
• Senior Sydney Wentling totaled 14 points and nine boards along with three assists
• Playing 39 of 40 minutes, Robin Campbell collected 13 points, three assists, and a steal
• Freshman guard Alexis Hutchison added 12 points and three steals

Griffin Highlights

• Lexi Civittolo scored a game-high 18 points
• Cheyenne Trest contributed 13 points, seven assists, and six rebounds

 
Up Next
Malone returns home for a Wednesday, November 20th contest against Notre Dame (OH).