The Malone University women's basketball team survived a scrappy Alderson Broaddus University squad and came away with a 60-57 win Thursday night at the Rex Pyles Arena in Philippi, West Virginia. Malone nearly squandered a 17-point lead in the contest, but held on late for its fourth win in the last five games.
 
Thursday's win was the second win over the Battlers in two weeks for the Pioneers, who came away with a 64-54 triumph over AB in Canton in late January. With the much-needed victory, Malone improved to 10-12 on the season and 8-8 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
 
Recap
The Battlers (3-15, 3-12 G-MAC) came out hot early, making their first four shots of the game, including three straight during a 6-0 run to begin the contest. Malone responded with a 25-2 run, which featured 19 unanswered points and lasted into the early moments of the second quarter.
 
Malone knocked down six three-pointers during the stretch, including three by freshman guard Robin Campbell, who returned to the lineup after missing the past two games. A jumper in the paint by senior guard Chrissie Vaughan capped the run and gave Malone a commanding 25-8 lead with 8:14 left in the second quarter.
 
Following that possession, the Battlers picked up the defensive intensity and began to chip away at the 17-point deficit. By halftime, Alderson Broaddus regained the lead (29-27) using a 21-2 run while holding Malone to just 1-of-9 shooting and forcing six turnovers during the eight-minute span.
 
In a competitive, back-and-forth second half, which featured four ties and nine lead changes, neither team could assert itself as the scored remained within one possession throughout the majority of the half.
 
With the game tied for a final time at 50-50 with 3:22 left to play, Malone went ahead on a pair of Campbell free throws. A three-pointer by Vaughan a minute later gave the Pioneers a 55-50 advantage, which proved to be insurmountable.
 
After four straight points by the Battlers brought the score to 55-54, junior guard Sydney Wentling connected on a jumper off an inbounds play to make it 57-54 with 32 seconds to play. Malone forced a Battler turnover on the ensuing possession and then used three late free throws from Campbell to hang on for the victory.
 
Game Highlights
-Malone finished with 10 three-pointers on 29 attempts (34.5%). The Pioneers improved to 6-0 this season when making at least 10 treys.
-Overall, Malone shot 44.9% (22-of-49) – the best in its last six games – but committed 20 turnovers.
-Alderson Broaddus shot 23-of-57 (40.4%) but was just 2-of-10 from three-point range.
-The Battlers, who dropped to 0-7 at home this season, held a 32-18 margin in points in the paint.
-The Pioneers, who lead the G-MAC in scoring defense, improved to 8-1 when holding their opponents under 60 points. Six of the last seven Malone opponents have been held under 60.

Malone Individual Highlights
-Robin Campbell led Malone with 18 points and matched a season-high with eight assists. She added five rebounds, three steals, and a blocked shot.
-Sydney Wentling totaled 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting and two steals.
-Chrissie Vaughan finished with 12 points and surpassed 400 career rebounds.
-Senior forward Naomi Grandison added eight points.
-Senior guard Paiten Strother provided five points, five rebounds, and four assists.
 
Alderson Broaddus Individual Highlights
-Jeana Weatherspoon (6-9 FG) led the Battlers with 12 points and three assists.
-Yasmin Norman (team-high six rebounds) and Yolando Florido each contributed six points and three steals.
 
Up Next
Malone visits Davis & Elkins on Saturday, February 9th for its final road game of the season. Tipoff is set for 2:00 pm.