The Malone University women's basketball team fell to 2-3 on the young season with an 80-74 setback against Notre Dame College (OH) Wednesday night in Osborne Hall. The Pioneers led by as many as 15 points early in the second half, but the visiting Falcons overtook Malone and held on late for the victory.
 
Recap
Malone shot 50% (10-of-20) during the first quarter and built an 11-point cushion when a Holly Groff jumper made it a 24-13 contest in the final minute of the frame. The Pioneers knocked down a trio of three-pointers in the second quarter, one each by Ellen Doyle, Sydney Wentling, and Robin Campbell, and maintained a 41-30 advantage at the halftime break.
 
Back-to-back buckets by Doyle and Campbell put Malone ahead 45-30 with 7:51 remaining in the third quarter. From there, Notre Dame picked up the pressure on defense and the pace on offense and began to chip away at the lead. By the 3:34 mark, the deficit was down to just one following a deep three-pointer. The Falcons, who scored 30 points in period, grabbed their first lead of the game (61-60) with a field goal just prior to the third-quarter buzzer.
 
The third-quarter lead change was the only one of the game as Malone failed to regain the edge in the fourth. Once Notre Dame went up 67-62 with just under eight minutes to play, the Pioneers never came within two possessions again. The Falcons canned two fourth-quarter threes and seven late free throws to secure the win.
 
Game Highlights

• Notre Dame forced Malone into 19 turnovers, including 12 steals, and outscored the Pioneers 19-9 in points from turnovers.
• The Falcons also held a dominant 22-2 advantage in fast break points, and a 30-14 edge in bench scoring.
• The Pioneers outrebounded their opponents 45-38 and held a slim 36-32 margin in paint points.
• Malone shot 100% (10-of-10) at the free-throw line and netted 8-of-26 three-point tries.
• Notre Dame outscored Malone 50-33 in the second half.
   

Pioneer Highlights

• Robin Campbell led the Pioneers with a season-high 23 points (8-12 FG, 2-2 3PT, 5-5 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
• Holly Groff, who handed out a team-high six assists, and Ellen Doyle each finished with 13 points.
• Sydney Wentling added 11 points and six boards.
• In 11 minutes off of the bench, Madison Hunter totaled eight points and a pair of assists.

Falcon Highlights

• Six different players scored in double digits, including Seina Adachi who finished with 15 points, five assists, and four steals.
• Jada Marone came off the bench to collect 14 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, four steals, and two blocks.

Up Next
Malone hosts Carlow (PA) this Saturday at 2pm.