CANTON, Ohio -- Later this afternoon the Malone University women's basketball team will travel to Ursuline College for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference matchup with the Arrows. The Pioneers are looking to make it three wins in a row this season, coming off of recent victories on the road at Lake Erie and at home against Ohio Valley.
MALONE-URSULINE HARDWOOD SERIES
Today will be the first of two scheduled matchups on the schedule this season, and is the 27th all-time meeting between these two programs. Malone holds a commanding 19-7 lead in the series.
The two programs played twice last season, and the Pioneers won both contests. The last Ursuline win came back in January of 2019.
The Matchup: Malone University Pioneers (4-7, 4-7 G-MAC) at Ursuline College Arrows (6-5, 6-5 G-MAC)
Where: Ursuline College - Sister Diana Stano Athletic Center
When: 2:00 p.m.
Live Stats: Great Midwest Digital Network
Live Video: Great Midwest Digital Network
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PIONEERS
- In the most recent Malone win senior guard Holly Groff had her best performance of the season, connecting on nine shots from three-point range to finish with a game-high 29 points. That mark ties her season-high set on January 4 at Kentucky Wesleyan. The nine three-pointers in a single game are tied for the second most in Malone history, and she now holds the top three marks. She matched her performance against Hillsdale last season, and trails only last year's effort against Findlay (11 made threes).
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In that same contest, while it was the offense that created the headlines for Malone, their effort on the defensive end of the floor certainly provided a spark.The Pioneers forced 15 Ohio Valley turnovers, and made 12 steals. Those opportunities translated into a 24-11 advantage in the points off turnovers category. Alexis Hutchison led the way with four steals and Nikki Weber finished with three.
- After a rocky start to the 2021 portion of the season, Malone has turned a corner in the last week. The Pioneers have continued to make strides defensively. They now are fifth in the G-MAC in points allowed (73.2). The offense has also found a rhytmn recently, improving their points per game output to the sixth-best mark in the league at 75.5 points per game.
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Individually, Holly Groff is once again among the top performers in the league. Her 18.5 points per game ranks fifth overall. Additionally, her 3.3 three-pointers per game is tied for the top mark in the conference.
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Robin Campbell is now tracking towards the 1,000 career point mark. The junior guard entered the season at exactly 800 career points. She has scored double-digit point totals in eight games this season, and currently sits at 925 career points with 11 regular season games remaining on the schedule.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Ursuline enters today's game off of an 89-59 loss at home to Walsh on Thursday. In that contest junior guard Rebekah Green led the Arrows with 13 points.
On the offensive side of the court Ursuline ranks seventh in the G-MAC, averaging 74.5 points per game. Sophomore guard Alyssa Evans leads their attack scoring 12.4 points per game. Ursuline also boasts three other double-digit scorers in Rebekah Green, Morgan Mattimore and Madison Cloonan.
Defensively they sit ninth in the conference, surrendering 78.8 points per game. Cloonan leads the team with 12 steals, while Katrina Scheuvront has a team-high eight blocks on the season.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers return home next weekend for the first of three straight games inside Osborne Hall. Malone will host Kentucky Wesleyan College on Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
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.
