The Malone University women's basketball team recovered from Thursday night's loss at Findlay with an 82-76 win over Hillsdale College Saturday afternoon in southern Michigan. The Pioneers never trailed in the contest as they earned their second victory over the Chargers in a week's time.
 
With the win, Malone improved to 14-6 on the season and 8-2 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference play. The struggling Chargers dropped to 5-16 on the year and 2-10 in the G-MAC.
 
Recap
With Hillsdale making a concerted effort to stop Holly Groff, who torched them for 33 points last Saturday and scored 37 against Findlay on Thursday, a host of Pioneers stepped up and took advantage of their open looks. Senior forwards Sydney Wentling and Ellen Doyle knocked down back-to-back three-pointers in the opening minutes and Mikayla Poole provided instant offense, coming off the bench later in the session. Poole buried a trio of three-pointers in a four-possession span to put Malone ahead by eight.
 
The Pioneers entered the second quarter up 19-11 and quickly extended their lead to double digits on a three-ball from Robin Campbell and another triple from Poole. Emma Kallas put Malone in front by 15 points (33-18) with back-to-back buckets at the five-minute mark before the Chargers began to mount a comeback. Hillsdale closed the gap to within seven points at 38-31, but Campbell closed out the half with a buzzer-beating layup to give Malone a 40-31 edge at the break.
 
Hillsdale came out fast in the second half and narrowed the margin to just four points at 48-44. The Pioneers answered with consecutive three-pointers as Holly Groff splashed her second trey of the game and Ellen Doyle canned a wide-open three set up by Groff's dribble-drive penetration. Two more long balls from Madison Hunter and Wentling helped Malone to a 64-55 lead heading into the fourth.
 
Refusing to go down without a fight on their Senior Day, the Chargers again trimmed the deficit to four points in the fourth quarter, but were unable to ever take the lead. Malone senior and Michigan native Ellen Doyle put on a show in her home state to ensure the Pioneer victory. Doyle scored 10 points in the final session and 17 total in the second half. Her three from the top of the key with :47 left to play gave Malone a 80-72 lead and delivered the dagger to the Chargers.

Game Highlights

• Malone made 14 total three-pointers on 35 attempts (40.0%). The Pioneers have now made at least 13 threes in six of their last nine games.
• The Pioneers shot 47.8% (32-of-67) overall and tied a season-low with nine turnovers.
• Malone scored 78 of its 82 points from three-point range (42), in the paint (32), or at the free-throw line (4).
• Hillsdale shot 54.3% (19-35) in the second half and 45.5% (30-66) overall.
• The Chargers outrebounded Malone 41-35 overall and 14-9 on the offensive glass. Both teams scored 13 second-chance points.
• Malone turned 13 Charger turnovers into 23 points.
   

Pioneer Highlights

• Ellen Doyle finished with a team-high 20 points (7-11 FG, 4-8 3PT, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, and an assist. Saturday marked her second 20-point game of the season and third of her career.
• Holly Groff tallied 17 points, a team-high seven rebounds, four assists, and a blocked shot.
• Mikayla Poole shot 4-of-5 from beyond the arc and finished with 12 points, all in the first half.
• Sydney Wentling provided 10 points, two rebounds, and an assist.
• Robin Campbell added nine points and a team-high five assists.
   

Charger Highlights

• Grace Touchette led Hillsdale with 20 points and four assists
• Lauren Daffenberg chipped in 17 points, five rebounds, and two steals.
   

Up Next
Malone returns home to host Ohio Valley this Thursday, February 6th at 6:00 pm