The Malone University women's basketball team was outscored 30-12 in the opening quarter and never fully recovered in an 81-65 loss to Kentucky Wesleyan College Saturday afternoon in Osborne Hall. The loss snapped a four-game G-MAC winning streak for Malone, which dropped to 8-5 on the season and 4-1 in conference play. The visiting Panthers, meanwhile, improved to 14-1 overall and 5-1 in the G-MAC.
 
Recap
While Malone came up empty on 10 of their first 13 first-quarter shot attempts, including seven straight three-point misfires, Kentucky Wesleyan seemingly could not miss as they opened up a 28-8 lead on their fifth triple of the quarter less than nine minutes into the ball game. Pioneer sophomore Madison Hunter eventually canned the first three-pointer of the game on the ensuing possession, but Malone would trail 30-12 at the end of the frame.
 
The breakneck scoring pace slowed only somewhat in the second quarter for the Panthers while Malone found its footing and began chipping away at the lead. Midway through the period, the lead was cut to just seven points, 39-32, when a layup from freshman Alexis Hutchison ignited an 8-0 run. The Panthers, responded quickly with an 11-2 run, however, displaying their balance and efficiency. KWC shot an impressive 69.0% (20-29) in the first half.
 
Malone never posed a serious threat in the second half as the defending G-MAC regular season champs stretched the lead to as many as 26 points in the third quarter and held on late for the 81-65 victory.
 
Game Highlights
-The Pioneers managed to outscore the guests 53-51 in the final three quarters, but could not overcome the huge early hole.
-Following an 0-for-7 start, Malone finished 8-of-29 (27.6%) from three-point range and shot just 38.6% (22-for-57) overall.
-The Panthers shot 57.1% (32-for-56) from the field for the contest. They made 7-of-10 three-pointers in the first half and 8-of-19 overall
-Kentucky Wesleyan held a 36-27 advantage in rebounds and a 38-12 edge in bench points.
 
Pioneer Highlights
-Holly Groff led Malone with 16 points in addition to a pair of assists
-Robin Campbell totaled 13 points and a game-high five assists.
-Ellen Doyle totaled 10 points and a game-high seven rebounds
-Fellow starters Alexis Hutchison and Sydney Wentling provided seven points each. Hutchison added three steals while Wentling produced five rebounds.
 
Panther Highlights
-Division I transfer Tahlia Walton totaled a team-high 16 points in 20 minutes.
-Forward Kaylee Clifford tallied 11 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocked shots.
 
Up Next
Malone plays its next-to-last non-conference game of the season this Wednesday, January 8th at home against Waynesburg.