Playing their final non-conference game of the season on Monday night, the Malone University women's basketball team picked up a 70-61 road victory over Wheeling University thanks in large part to a historic performance at the free throw line. Malone sank 31 free throws, two shy of a school record in dispatching the Cardinals on their home court. The win lifted the Pioneers to 10-5 on the season, including a 6-1 record in road games.
 
Recap
Both teams struggled to find points early on in the contest, combining for just six in the first five minutes. Holly Groff splashed a three-pointer from the wing later in the frame, but the Pioneers finished with just two field goals in the opening quarter and faced a 13-8 deficit after shooting 11.1% (2-for-18).
 
It took less than three minutes for Malone to equal their first-quarter output and regain the lead in the second stanza. Sydney Wentling drained a fadeaway jumper and a reverse layup, Ellen Doyle converted a layup with an and-1, and Mikayla Poole buried a corner triple to put Malone ahead 18-16. The Pioneers added a half dozen free throws and by halftime led 32-24.
 
Malone shot only 3-of-18 (16.7%) in the third quarter, but took advantage of threes from Doyle and Wentling and four more free throws to maintain an eight-point edge (44-36) headed into the fourth.
 
A short jumper from Campbell and a wide open three by Groff gave Malone a double-digit lead two minutes into the final frame, but the Cardinals fought back and eventually narrowed the margin to just four points (54-50) with 3:21 to play. A huge offensive rebound and a left-handed putback layup by Mikayla Poole on the following possession made it a 56-50 contest.
 
With just under two minutes remaining, Wheeling's Lilly Ritz converted an old-fashioned three-point play to trim the score to 56-53, but Malone countered with another big bucket from Campbell to make it a two-possession game. The Pioneers shot 12-of-12 at the free-throw line in the final 72 seconds to stave off Wheeling's comeback bid and close out the victory.
 
Game Highlights
-Entering the game ranked 12th in DII in free three-percentage, the Pioneers shot 88.6% (31-of-35) at the charity stripe, including a 15-of-16 effort in the fourth quarter.
-The 31 free throws tied for the second most (31 vs. Walsh in 1993) in program history. The school record of 33 was set vs. Shawnee State during the 2007 season.
-The 31 free throws also tied for the fifth most by a NCAA DII team this season.
-Malone struggled from the field, shooting only 26.6% (17-of-64), but tied a season-low with nine turnovers and overcame the difference at the free-throw line.
-The Pioneers held Wheeling to 36.2% (21-of-58) shooting and forced 20 Cardinal turnovers.
 
Pioneer Highlights
-Robin Campbell was a perfect 10-for-10 on free throws. She finished with a team-high 20 points and seven rebounds.
-Holly Groff (8-8 FT) provided 18 points, four rebounds, and three steals.
-Ellen Doyle (5-5 FT) contributed 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists.
-Sydney Wentling, a 90% free-throw shooter on the season, did not make a trip to the line but ended the night with nine points and six rebounds
-Alexis Hutchison added to her team-leading total (28) with three steals.
 
Cardinal Highlights
-Lilly Ritz collected 22 points, 21 rebounds (8 offensive), four steals, and two blocked shots.
-Taliah Cashwell made five treys and finished with 15 points.
 
Up Next
Malone returns to West Virginia on Thursday to face Ohio Valley in a G-MAC clash at 5:30 pm.