CANTON – The Malone University women's basketball team closed out their five-game opening homestand on Wednesday afternoon by hosting the Clarion University Golden Eagles.
The Pioneers (4-1, 0-0 GMAC) scored first within a minute of the opening tip off and built up a double-digit lead by the end of the first quarter that was too much for the Golden Eagles (1-4, 0-0 PSAC).
Malone never trailed and closed out the game with a score of 87-63.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Alexis Hutchison opened up scoring with a three-pointer less than one minute into the game, and Malone did not surrender that lead for the rest of the night.
The Golden Eagles responded with a layup by Jada Smith but the Pioneers scored the next nine points unanswered, six of which were from inside the paint to make it 12-2 halfway through the opening quarter. The first double-digit lead came off a jumper by Kelsey Swihart.
Other first quarter highlights included back-to-back layups by Madison Hunter and the period was closed out by Hutchison's third three-pointer that put the Pioneers up 24-7.
Clarion came into the second quarter with some offensive drive as both teams traded baskets throughout the period. Emma Kallas scored the first three points off a made layup and free throw with the shooting foul on Gloria Bwende.
Bwende turned around and scored the first points for the Golden Eagles for the period. Swihart sunk the only shot made from beyond the arc between both teams in the quarter to put the Pioneers ahead by twenty-one points.
Layups by Hunter, Campbell, and Kyli Horn led the Pioneers to the halftime break with an eighteen-point lead at 42-24.
The two sides continued to trade scores for the third quarter. The Pioneers continued to hold the advantage, never letting their lead slip below 18 points. A six-point run by Malone just over half way to play in the quarter gave them the largest lead of the night at 59-34.
That run included the first points of the game for Holly Groff and all six points were scored within the lane.
The fourth quarter was again back-and-forth between the Pioneers and the Golden Eagles, but the strong double-digit lead built up by Malone was never in doubt. Coming off the bench with 3:47 to go, senior Olivia Clark sank two shots in the paint to score her first points of the season and helped to cap off the Pioneers fourth win of their five-game homestand.
PIONEER POINTS
- Malone's bench had their best showing of the year – scoring 38 points, including Madison Hunter (17) and Kelsey Swihart (12) scoring in double-digits. In comparison, the Golden Eagles bench players scored a combined 8 points.
- Robin Campbell led the Pioneers with 18 points. The senior guard also pulled down a team-high 6 total rebounds, five of which were on Clarion's side of the court.
- Emma Kallas rounded out the double digit scores with 10. Holly Groff, who leads Malone in points per game, was held to just 6 points, but dished out a game-high 7 assists.
- The Pioneers forced the Golden Eagles into 15 turnovers, which turned into 11 points for the home team. Malone also dominated underneath the basket, outscoring Clarion 56-38 inside the paint.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Pioneers hit the road for the first time this year to open up conference play against the Ursuline College Arrows. The December 2nd tip off is scheduled for 5:30 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
