CANTON, Ohio -- This afternoon, the Malone University women's basketball team will close out their longest stretch of road games this season with a Great Midwest Athletic Conference matchup at Lake Erie College.
MALONE-LAKE ERIE HARDWOOD SERIES
This afternoon is the 30th meeting all-time between these two programs. Malone holds a substantial lead in the overall series 20-9.
The two teams just played last month on New Year's Eve with the Pioneers picking up a blowout 112-63 win inside Osborne Hall.
The last win for Lake Erie came in February of 2020, a 65-61 win in Canton.
The Matchup: Malone University Pioneers (2-7, 2-7 G-MAC) at Lake Erie College Storm (0-5, 0-5 G-MAC)
Where: Lake Erie College - Jerome T. Osborne Family Athletic and Wellness Center
When: 1:00 p.m.
Live Stats: Great Midwest Digital Network
Live Video: Great Midwest Digital Network
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PIONEERS
- In their last time out, Malone stumbled on the road at Ohio Dominican University. The Pioneers struggled in the first quarter as the Panthers jumped out to an early ten point lead. Malone rallied back, and actually outscored ODU in the middle quarters, but a strong fourth quarter ultimately helped give the Panthers the 82-68 victory. Holly Groff led Malone with 18 points. The redshirt-senior guard was 4-10 from beyond the three-point line, and has now scored at least 12 or more points in seven of the nine games this season. Robin Campbell was the only other player from Malone in double-digits as she finished with 13 points.
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Groff's performance Thursday night at ODU allowed her to hold on to her sixth place spot among the G-MAC scoring leaders. She is averaging a team-best 17.4 points-per-game. She also sits top-ten in field goal percentage (44.9%), three-point field goals per game (2.9), and assist/turnover ratio (2.1).
- Despite attempting the second fewest free-throws in the league, the Pioneers rank third overall with a 76.5% shooting percentage from the line. They have made 65 of their 85 free-throw attempts.
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The last meeting with Lake Erie saw Malone break several team-records. The 40 points scored in the third quarter were the most points in a quarter in program history and the 62 points scored in the second-half are tied for the most in program history. Additionally, 13 different players played in the win, and all 13 of them found their way into the scoring column, including the first Malone Pioneer points for the careers of Myla Kline and Vanessa Sales.
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Last month's win over the Storm still ranks atop in the G-MAC in several categories this season: the most points scored by a team (112), the most field-goals made (43), most three-point field goals made (17), and most assists (31). Those 31 assists are tied for the second-most in a game in program history.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
The Storm enter today's matchup off of 67-56 loss at home to Tiffin on Thursday night. In that contest the Dragons outscored the Storm 21-14 over the game's final ten minutes. Junior guard Lainey Billing led Lake Erie, and tied for a game-high 14 points.
In the earlier meeting this season it was senior forward Breanna Bauer who led the team in scoring with 14 points.
So far this year Lake Erie has yet to win a game, and the Storm rank bottom in the conference in both offensive scoring and defensive points allowed.
Individually it is both Bauer and Billing who have been consistently leading the way for Lake Erie on offense. Both players are averaging 11.2 and 11.0 points-per-game respectively.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers will return home next week for a G-MAC matchup with Ohio Valley University. Wednesday's tip-off against the Fighting Scots is set for 6:00 p.m. inside Osborne Hall.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Malone University athletic programs this year follow the Pioneers on Twitter and Instagram, like Malone University Athletics on Facebook or visit malonepioneers.com.
