Malone University redshirt junior guard Holly Groff scored a career-high 26 points in an 80-67 non-conference victory over Carlow University Saturday as Malone improved to 3-3 on the season.
 
Recap
The Pioneers, who never trailed in the game, scored on their first six possessions and led 18-2 just four minutes into the contest. Groff knocked down two early threes during the run as Malone threatened to run away from the Celtics, who would drop to 3-4 with the loss. Carlow, however, battled back with a 12-0 run to make it 18-14. Groff then canned her third triple of the quarter as time expired to put the Pioneers up by seven.
 
Sydney Wentling drained a pair of treys in the opening moments of the second quarter to give Malone a double-digit advantage, which they held up until halftime. Malone carried a 43-33 lead into the lockeroom despite 6-of-8 shooting from the Celtics in the session.
 
Carlow came out hot in the third quarter and trimmed the deficit to two points on two separate occasions, but were met each time with triples from Groff and Robin Campbell. A slim 48-46 Pioneer edge ballooned to 64-49 by the end of the third quarter.
 
Malone went up by 18 points in the final frame when Madison Hunter and Ellen Doyle sandwiched an Emma Kallas layup with three-pointers of their own. Groff then put the finishing touch on Malone's home victory with another Malone three in the final minute as Malone left with the 80-67 win.
 
Game Highlights

• Malone buried a total of 15 three-pointers on 28 attempts (53.6%). The 15 threes were the most since making 17 against Trevecca Nazarene in February of 2018.
• The Pioneers made a total of 30 field goals, 27 of which were assistsed. The 27 assists were the most since Malone recorded 27 vs. Akron Wayne in 2012.
• Carlow was an efficient 25-of-53 (47.2%) from the field, including 6-of-15 from deep.
• The Celtics outrebounded Malone 34-27 and outscored the Pioneers 30-24 in the paint and 14-7 in second chances.
• Despite committing three more turnovers (18-15), Malone held a 30-10 edge in points off of turnovers.

Pioneer Highlights

• Groff was virtually unstoppable in the win, making 10-of-11 field goals and a career-high six threes while scoring 26 points – two more than her previous career-high. She added a team-high five rebounds and three steals.
• Robin Campbell added 16 points and four assists.
• Sydney Wentling finished with 11 points, including three three-pointers.
• Senior forward Ellen Doyle tallied nine points, a career-high seven assists, and two steals
• Freshman Jade Abdulla handed out six assists in 17 minutes off the bench.

Celtic Highlights

• Senior forward Emma Stille totaled 18 points, a game-high 13 rebounds, and five assists.
• Guard Kamryn Lach added 16 points, six assists, and two steals.

Up Next
The Pioneers head out on the road for their next four contests beginning with a road game at Clarion next Wednesday, November 27th.