The Malone University women's basketball team extended its win streak to five straight with a thrilling 90-82 victory over visiting Hillsdale College Saturday afternoon in Osborne Hall. Backed by a large and enthusiastic crowd of Malone faithful, the Pioneers put on a show, scoring 38 points in the fourth quarter.
 
Holly Groff, who totaled a career-high 33 points in the victory, made five of Malone's seven three-pointers in the final quarter. Groff finished with nine threes, the most-ever in Pioneer women's basketball history.
 
With the win, Malone improved to 13-5 on the season and 7-1 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). Hillsdale, meanwhile, fell to 5-14 overall and 2-8 in conference play.
 
The 35th Annual Class of the Malone University Athletics Hall of Fame was recognized during a special halftime ceremony.


From L-R: Troy Montgomery, coah Ralph Schreiber (on behalf of Rich Hlaudy), James Thompson, Kristen (Beach) Huntington, Brian Finney, Joy (Wilkinson) Plumley, Ray Weisenbarger, Derek Deardorff, and Todd Clark.
 
Recap
Groff and senior Ellen Doyle each knocked down a pair of threes and collected eight points in an up-tempo first quarter that saw Malone claim a 22-18 lead. The Pioneers then led the entire second quarter and stretched their lead to 38-33 by halftime. Groff added a pair of two-point baskets in the final two minutes of the half and had a team-high 12 at the break.
 
Hillsdale went out in front in the third quarter, benefitting from some shooters' rolls on a pair of three-pointers. Near the end of the quarter, the Chargers sank another three-ball to move in front 54-49 and create a little anxiety in Osborne Hall. Groff drained her second triple of the quarter on Malone's final possession to make it 54-52 headed into the fourth.
 
Despite a steal and a fastbreak layup from Pioneer freshman Alexis Hutchison, Malone still trailed 61-57 following a Hillsdale layup with 6:59 left. An immediate Charger timeout, however, shifted momentum in favor of Malone.
 
The Pioneers scored on each of their next nine possessions over the next four-and-a-half minutes in a wild and frenetic sequence. Within the stretch, Holly Groff buried five three-pointers, including three on back-to-back-to-back possessions, and assisted on another three-pointer by Emma Kallas and a driving layup from Doyle. The 24 points helped Malone to a seven-point advantage, 81-74, with 2:29 remaining.
 
Despite the fantastic scoring run, Hillsdale remained within striking distance and closed the deficit to 81-79 with 1:38 left. Sophomore guard Robin Campbell answered immediately with a crucial three-point play. Hutchison added a layup to put Malone up 86-79 with just over a minute left and the Pioneers made four free throws down the stretch to seal an exciting 90-82 triumph.

Game Highlights

• Malone outscored Hillsdale 38-28 in the fourth quarter and 33-21 over the final seven minutes. The 38 points marked the most in a quarter since the NCAA transitioned to quarters five seasons ago.
• The Pioneers shot 68.4% (13-of-19) in the final frame and 12-of-14 (85.7%) in the closing stretch.
• Malone shot 52.4% (33-for-63) overall and 14-of-29 (48.3%) from long range.
• Hillsdale outrebounded the hosts 40-27, including a 14-6 edge in offensive boards
• The Chargers made 10-of-24 three-pointers and shot 48.3% (29-for-60) overall.
• The Pioneers tied a season-low with just nine turnovers. They also forced 18 Charger miscues, resulting directly into 28 MU points.
   

Pioneer Highlights

• Holly Groff, who missed her first three-point attempt, registered a 9-of-13 performance from beyond the arc. She finished with a career-high 33 points while still distributing a team-high five assists.
• Groff's school record nine three-pointers surpassed the previous mark of eight set by Tonya Miller against Geneva in 1997.
• Groff also became the first Pioneer to score at least 33 points in a game since January of 2006.
• Freshman Alexis Hutchison quietly added a career-high 16 points and five assists along with five rebounds, a game-high four steals, and a block.
• Robin Campbell added 15 points and four assists.
• Ellen Doyle provided 12 points and four assists.

Charger Highlights

• Grace Touchette collected a team-high 22 points and six assists.
• Julia Wacker totaled 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
   

Up Next
Malone travels to Findlay this Thursday, January 30th before a rematch at Hillsdale next Saturday.