FINDLAY, Ohio -- The Malone University women's basketball team continued their recent road trip on Friday evening with a Great Midwest Athletic Conference matchup at the University of Findlay.

It was a back-and-forth contest all night long with neither team able to hold a lead of more than one or two possessions for very long.

The Pioneers (2-6, 2-6 G-MAC) held a two point advantage at halftime, but a strong third quarter from the Oilers (4-4, 4-4 G-MAC) allowed them to recapture the lead. Findlay was able to hold on through the fourth quarter to pick up an 80-72 win. 

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
The teams traded baskets early on, but with just over four minutes remaining in the opening quarter the Oilers began to stretch out a lead. An old-fashioned "and-one" play allowed them to take a 16-9 advantage. 

The Pioneers immediately responded however. Five points from Holly Groff and a bucket from Bri Lucas tied the game up at 16-16.

Malone carried their high level of play into the second player as back-to-back three-pointers from Nikki Weber gave the Pioneers a 25-20 lead. They actually led by six points a few different times in the quarter, twice on three-pointers from Robin Campbell, and the other time on a Emma Kallas triple.

The Oilers were able to hang on however, cutting the Malone lead down to 44-42 at halftime. 

Findlay quickly recaptured the lead with a 7-0 run to open up the third quarter, and although the Pioneers stayed right with them the entire half, Malone was never able to regain their advantage. 

They got as close as two points several different times in the half, but each instance the Oilers were able to hold off the comeback attempt. 

PIONEER POINTS

• Malone attempted 53 three-point shots in the contest, shattering the previous program record of 44 set in last year's matchup against Findlay. 

• Although the Pioneers were outrebounded by Findlay 44-36, Malone dominated on second-chance points by a 16-4 margin.

• Malone forced 22 Oiler turnovers which turned into 15 points on the other end of the floor.

• Alexis Hutchison led the Pioneers with a season-high 17 points. She also pulled down six rebounds and dished out four assists. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
Next up for the Pioneers is a trip to Ohio Dominican University. Thursday's tip-off from Columbus is slated for 5:30 p.m.