CANTON – On Monday the Malone University Pioneers will travel to Pepper Pike, Ohio for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference match up against the Arrows of Ursuline College. 

The game was originally scheduled to be the Pioneers conference play opener on December 2, but COVID-19 protocols within the conference postponed it.

Matchup: Malone University Pioneers (7-3, 3-1 G-MAC) at Ursuline College Arrows (4-3, 1-1 G-MAC)
Where: Pepper Pike, Ohio
When: Monday, December 20 | 2:00 p.m.
Live Video Stream: Great Midwest Digital Network
Live Stats: Great Midwest Digital Network

Second Half Hilltopper Comeback Too Strong
On Saturday, Malone traveled to West Virginia to take on the West Liberty Hilltoppers. Malone scored first on an Emma Kallas bucket. While the game would be tied twice within the first 3 minutes, the Pioneers didn't lose their lead and over the second quarter built it to a 13 point lead at the halftime break capped off by a Nikki Weber layup at the buzzer.

The third quarter saw the lead diminish as West Liberty went on a 11-3 run towards the end of the quarter to come within a point of the Pioneers. Two Holly Groff three-pointers in the final minute of the quarter kept the Pioneers on top 54-49. Malone was able to hold off the Hilltoppers until a shot from beyond the arc sank for Bailee Smith with 2:25 to play gave the home team a three point advantage and put the game away with a 71-65 victory.

Despite the loss, Malone had four double-digit scorers in Holly Groff, Robin Campbell, Alexis Hutchison, and Madison Hunter. Emma Kallas finished with a team-high 7 rebounds. 

With 15 points against West Liberty, Holly Groff now has 1,412 career points scored, moving her to 7th on Malone's Women's Basketball All-Time Scoring List. Her 2 rebounds pushed her into the top 20 on All-Time Rebounding List, and she remains in the top five on All-Time Assist List.

Senior Robin Campbell's 14 points lifted her into the top 20 on the All-Time Scoring List, and her 4 rebounds edges her into the top 30 All-Time Rebounding. 

Hardwood Series
Monday's game in Pepper Pike will be the 29th all-time meeting between the Arrows and the Pioneers with Malone holding a commanding 21-7 series lead.

The last tip off between Ursuline and Malone was in February in the regular season last year at Osborne Hall. The Pioneers won off a strong third quarter offensive effort, finishing the game with a 79-58 victory. Alexis Hutchison secured her first career double-double after scoring 12 points and pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds. Madison Hunter led the team with 16 points. Malone held a massive 50-32 advantage on points scored in the paint in the game.

Knowing Your Opponent
The Ursuline College Arrows defeated the Lake Erie Storm on Saturday afternoon after trailing the entire game, they took the lead in the last 2 minutes of play to come out on top at home by a score of 80-75.

Alyssa Evans led the Arrows with 22 points, shooting 8-of-10 from the field and sank 5 of Ursuline's 6 total buckets from beyond the arc. Madison Cloonan was on double-double watch as she scored 13 points and pulled down a team-high 8 rebounds. Her sister, Michaela Cloonan scored 12 points, pulled down 6 rebounds, and dished out a game-high 6 assists.

Ursuline comes into Monday's game in second in the G-MAC for team offense, averaging 76.1 points per game. They are just behind Malone in team field goal percentage as the Arrows are shooting 46.5% compared to the Pioneer 47.9%. 

Looking Ahead
Malone will take a break for the Christmas holiday before closing out the 2021 portion of their schedule on the road at Ashland University. The December 29th tip off between the Pioneers and the Eagles is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.