PEPPER PIKE, Ohio – The Malone University women's basketball team had their final game before the Christmas holiday as they traveled to face Ursuline College on Monday afternoon.

The Pioneers (7-4, 3-2 GMAC) had a strong opening quarter, but the Arrows (5-3, 2-1 GMAC) rallied and secured a six-point lead at the halftime break. While Malone won the third quarter, Ursuline remained in control as the Pioneers fell by a score of 77-70.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
On the opening possession, Alexis Hutchison passed to Emma Kallas in the paint to score a layup. This was the start of a 11-2 Pioneer run. The Arrows responded with 6 unanswered on their side of the court.

The two teams traded baskets for the remaining three minutes in the opening quarter, and it closed with a bucket by Nikki Weber to give Malone a 18-15 lead.

Second quarter action opened with five straight points for Ursuline. This was the beginning of a 10-2 run for the Arrows in which all ten points were scored by senior Bekah Green.

Off of shots made by Kyli Horn, Kelsey Swihart, and Emma Kallas the Pioneers got within a point twice during a 7-2 run halfway through the second quarter. 

The first half of action was closed out with some back and forth action. The teams went to the halftime locker rooms with Ursuline leading 40-36.

Malone scored first out of the break on Emma Kallas layup and the Pioneers continued the momentum into a 9-3 run, topped off with a three pointer by Holly Groff to give Malone a one-point advantage.

However, Ursuline would answer with seven straight points to retake a six-point lead. The teams traded free throws and baskets, until a three pointer for Alyssa Evans gave the Arrows their largest lead of the night at 58-49 with 1:31 remaining in the third quarter.

Another layup by Emma Kallas opened up action in the fourth quarter. With 6:11 to go in the game, Holly Groff sank a 3 point shot and Brooklyn Troyer followed it up with two sunk shots beyond the arc herself to retake the lead.

Ursuline tied the game at 68 with a Bekah Green jumper with 1:39 to go, but five Pioneer fouls allowed the Arrows multiple trips to the charity stripe where they shot 7-of-9 to close the door on a Pioneer comeback.

PIONEER POINTS

• Emma Kallas led the offensive charge with 14 points. The junior went 6-9 from the field and sunk both her free throw attempts.

• Holly Groff was the only other Pioneer in double digit scoring and grabbed 2 steals.

• Robin Campbell pulled down a team-high 5 rebounds, four of which were on the defensive front, as well as got a steal. Alexis Hutchison finished with a game-high 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and a steal.

• As a team, the Pioneers score 21 points off the 18 turnovers they forced on Ursuline. Malone also held a slight edge on the Arrows in points score in the paint 34-30 and fast break points 15-12.

• Malone also had the advantage of bench depth. The Pioneers used Nikki Weber, Brooklyn Troyer, Madison Hunter, and Kyli Horn off the bench, and together they scored 28 points. Whereas Ursuline had a single player off the bench who scored just six points.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The women's basketball team will have a short break for the Christmas Holiday before they head to Ashland for their final game of the 2021 calendar year. The December 29 match up against the Ashland University Eagles 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