The Malone University women's basketball team watched its season come to an abrupt end in the semifinal round of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Championship on Friday night at Walsh University in North Canton. Top-seeded Walsh dispatched of the Pioneers 82-47 in a rivalry matchup to advance to the G-MAC Finals on Saturday.
 
Malone ended the season with a 19-11 record and the third-most wins since the 2001-02 season. Walsh, which came in ranked #9 in NCAA Division II, won its 22nd straight game and improved to 27-2 on the year.
 
Recap
The first seven minutes of the first quarter featured seven lead changes as the two teams seemed on pace for a tight contest. Malone led 10-9 following a jumper by Sydney Wentling, but the Cavaliers scored 11 straight points in the final 2:42 and owned a 20-10 lead at the end of the frame.
 
Midway through the second quarter, the Pioneers trimmed the lead to 26-20 on Robin Campbell's three-pointer from the top of the key, but Walsh followed with a 14-3 run before half. The Cavaliers defensive pressure and length was on full display all night as Malone struggled to get good looks at the basket.
 
Walsh limited Malone to nine points in the third quarter, extending the lead to 59-32 by the end of the session. The Cavs then outscored the visitors 23-15 in the final quarter to close out the 82-47 win.

Game Highlights

• Walsh shot 52.2% (35-of-67) from the field, including an 8-of-17 (47.1%) effort from three.
• Malone was held to just 29.8% shooting (17-of-57), had six shots blocked, and committed 20 turnovers.
• The Pioneers made 3-of-21 three-point attempts, finishing the season with 269 made three-pointers – second-most in school history and one shy of a school record.
• Walsh outrebounded Malone 37-30, registered a 26-9 advantage in points from turnovers, a 52-26 edge in points in the paint, a 21-5 margin in fast break points, and a 27-11 lead in bench points.
   

Pioneer Highlights

• Robin Campbell led Malone with 16 points and three assists.
• Senior Sydney Wentling, playing in her final collegiate game, added seven points and was 1-of-2 from three-point range. Wentling finished the season shooting school record 44.4% from three-point range.
• Ellen Doyle, also playing her final game in a Pioneer uniform, grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds to go along with six points and a pair of assists.
• Holly Groff, who came into the game ranked second in the G-MAC in scoring, was limited to a season-low three points. She still finished the season averaging 17.9 points a game – the most by a Pioneer in the past 15 seasons.

Cavalier Highlights

• Mayci Sales led five Walsh double-digit scorers with 18 points, five rebounds, and three steals.
• Alyssa Dean totaled 13 points, six boards, and four assists off of the bench.
• G-MAC Player of the Year Sha Carter added 12 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals.