The Malone University women's basketball team, on the strength of an unyielding defense paired with an efficient halfcourt offense, opened the season with a 67-47 win over Lake Superior State early Friday afternoon in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan.
Recap
In a Midwest Region contest, during which Malone never trailed, freshman guard
Alexis Hutchison scored the first four points of the season as the Pioneers raced out to a 12-3 lead midway through the first quarter. By the end of the period Malone still led 14-10.
The Lakers kept within striking distance in the second quarter, closing to a single point when 5'11 forward Lexie Khon, who finished with 10 markers in the period, knocked down a jumper to make it a 21-20 contest. A three-point bucket by freshman
Jade Abdulla kept Malone in front, however, and the Pioneers would maintain a 27-24 advantage headed into halftime.
Malone began to separate in the third quarter, outscoring the Lakers 23-13.
Sydney Wentling buried back-to-back three-pointers to start the frame and finished with 10 tallies in the period. Malone ended the stanza on an 8-0 run and carried a 50-37 advantage into the fourth.
The Pioneers kept a double-digit lead for the duration of the contest, outscoring the hosts 17-10 in the final quarter. Freshman
Bri Lucas netted a pair of three-pointers in the final minute and fellow frosh
Kayla Gudel added her first career point on a late free throw as Malone clinched the road victory.
Game Highlights
- The Pioneer defense, which ranked among the top-5 in the Midwest Region last season, limited LSSU to just 35.2% (19-of-54) shooting and a 1-of-12 (8.3%) effort from three-point range.
- Malone countered with a 49.1% (26-of-53) shooting performance which included an 8-of-19 (42.1%) display from deep.
- Malone shot 69.2% (9-of-13) in the decisive third quarter.
- The Pioneers held a 32-23 rebounding edge and outscored the Lakers 30-24 in the paint.
- Only one player for LSSU scored more than six points.
Pioneer Highlights
- Senior Sydney Wentling totaled 18 points, one shy of a career-high, and a career-high nine rebounds in a solid start to her final season in a Pioneer uniform.
- Sophomore Robin Campbell, the reigning G-MAC Freshman of the Year, tallied 14 points and three assists and matched a career-high with four steals.
- Alexis Hutchison recorded 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting, five rebounds, and a blocked shot.
- Making her first appearance since missing all of last season with injury, redshirt junior guard Holly Groff recorded seven points, four boards, two assists, and a steal
- Senior forward Ellen Doyle added five points, five rebounds, and a block.
Laker Highlights
- Lexie Khon shot 12-of-17 and finished with 26 of the Lakers' 47 points. The rest of the team combined to shoot 7-of-37
Up Next
Malone continues the weekend with a neutral site contest against the University of Indianapolis on Saturday at 3:00 pm.