CANTON -- The Malone University women's basketball team continued Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play inside Osborne Hall on Saturday afternoon.
The Pioneers hosted the Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers.
Malone (8-1, 3-0 G-MAC) held an eight point lead at halftime, and then pulled away from the Panthers (6-5, 3-2 G-MAC) to pick up their fourth consecutive win by a final score of 72-68.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
The two sides traded baskets during the majority of the first quarter, with neither side able to distance itself from the other.
With 4:00 left in the quarter, Brooklyn Troyer drew the defense toward her and then kicked the ball out to Robin Campbell who nailed a trey. After that possession, the Pioneers never trailed the rest of the game.
With just one second remaining on the clock, Nikki Weber found Kyli Horn who connected on a three-pointer at the buzzer to put Malone up 22-15.
The Pioneers went on a 8-2 run that was capped off by six consecutive by Madison Hunter. That run gave Malone their first double digit lead of the afternoon.
Kentucky Wesleyan answered back with a quick 9-0 run to cut down the Pioneers lead to 30-28.
The home team rallied back with Alexis Hutchison's seven straight points off a jumper, two free throws, and a three-pointer. Malone's offensive effort extended their lead to 42-33.
With 3:56 left in the third quarter, Holly Groff pulled up from beyond the arc and sank a three-point shot to give the Pioneers their largest lead of the afternoon at 56-42.
The Panthers got a steal, and Cali Nolot converted on the fast break layup off a steal by Shiya Hoosier to decrease Malone's lead to 56-46.
Robin Campbell drove down the middle of the lane on a fast break and distributed the ball to Madison Hunter for a made layup in the paint to grab a 66-57 lead with 3:55 left to play.
Late in the quarter, Kentucky Wesleyan attempted another comeback effort and ended up bringing down Malone's lead to 72-68.
However, the Panther's comeback attempt failed, and the Pioneers got the victory with a final score of 72-68.
PIONEER POINTS
- Alexis Hutchison led Malone's offense with 16 points. She finished 6-11 from the field, and was 2-4 from beyond the arc.
- Holly Groff added 14 points with a team-high six steals.
- Robin Campbell finished with 13 points, and a team-high six rebounds.
- Madison Hunter rounded out the double-digits scorers for the Pioneers with 10 points.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Pioneers have one more game at home before the Christmas holiday break. Malone will host crosstown rival Walsh University on Tuesday, December 14. Tip-off from Osborne Hall 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
