The Malone University women's basketball team concluded the regular season with an 88-79 victory against visiting Ursuline College Saturday afternoon in Osborne Hall. The Pioneers, who clinched the fifth seed in next week's Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championship, finish the regular season with a 12-6 mark in G-MAC play and an 18-10 record overall.
 
Prior to tipoff on Saturday, fourth-year Pioneers Ellen Doyle and Sydney Wentling were recognized in a Senior Day ceremony.
 
Recap
Facing an Ursuline team which entered the contest 8-19 overall and 4-13 in the G-MAC, the Pioneers wasted little time in taking a 10-2 lead in the early going on back-to-back three-pointers from Holly Groff and Alexis Hutchison. Malone extended the margin to nine points at 17-8 midway through the quarter, but Ursuline began chipping away and making it a competitive ball game.
 
An up-tempo first quarter saw both offenses on full display as Malone managed a 27-22 lead at the end of 10 minutes. The high scoring continued into the second period as Doyle, Groff, and Robin Campbell each sank threes, but the Arrows countered with an efficient 64.3% shooting in the frame. Ursuline tied the game on four different occasions and the two teams went to halftime deadlocked at 46-46.
 
Ursuline regained the advantage on the first possession of the second half and still led 52-51 before Malone went on an 8-0 run. A three-point play from Emma Kallas and long ball from Doyle made it a 59-52 contest, but the Arrows quickly trimmed the score back down to two. Seven straight points from Campbell allowed the Pioneers to eventually take a 68-61 lead into the fourth.
 
The guests would cut the deficit to just three points at 70-67, but Malone had the response in a three-point play from Doyle. Sydney Wentling would make her presence felt two possessions later when she splashed her first three of the game, giving Malone a 78-67 lead.
 
The Arrows refused to go away quietly, but got no closer than six points as Malone canned four free throws in the final minute and held on for the 88-79 victory.

Game Highlights

• The 167 combined points were the second-most in a game this season and the 88 points were the fourth-most by Malone.
• The Pioneers took a season-high 77 shots, including 42 three-pointers. They finished 33-of-77 (42.9%) from the field and 12-of-42 (28.6%) from three.
• Ursuline shot 50.8% (32-of-63) overall and outscored MU 50-36 on points in the paint.
• Malone committed a season-low seven turnovers while forcing 13 Ursuline miscues, including 10 steals. The hosts held an 18-8 edge in points from turnovers.
• Malone outrebounded the Arrows 42-36, including a 13-4 advantage on the offensive glass. Malone registered 16 second-chance points, compared to four for Ursuline.
   

Pioneer Highlights

• Ellen Doyle led Malone with 19 points to go along with six rebounds and two assists.
• Holly Groff totaled 16 points and three assists. She converted four three-pointers in the game, setting the single-season school record (90) in the process.
• Alexis Hutchison scored 15 points and grabbed a career-high nine rebounds in addition to securing two steals.
• Robin Campbell provided 10 points and a team-high six assists while Sydney Wentling added nine points and four assists.
• Madison Hunter totaled six points and eight rebounds, including five offensive boards.
• Emma Kallas chipped in seven points and four assists. Kallas, Jade Abdulla, and Mikayla Poole each collected two steals off of the bench.

Arrow Highlights

• Tamara Mathis finished with a game-high 21 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds
• Bekah Green added 14 points on 6-of-6 shooting

Up Next
Malone will most likely travel to Cedarville for the quarterfinal round of the G-MAC Championship on Tuesday, March 3rd. Official postseason seedings, locations, and start times will be announced on Saturday night.