CANTON – Coming off a comeback win over Lake Erie on Saturday, the Pioneers will return to Osborne Hall on Thursday to face the Trojans of Trevecca Nazarene University.

Matchup: Malone Pioneers (5-1, 1-0 GMAC) vs Trevecca Nazarene University (1-7, 0-2 GMAC)
Where: Osborne Hall
When: 5:30 p.m.
Live Stats/Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/malone/
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/malone-athletics-and-the-office-of-alumni-relations-12668277512
 
Pioneers Hold Off The Storm
On Saturday, Malone traveled to Painesville, Ohio to open up Great Midwest Athletic Conference play against the Storm of Lake Erie. While Lake Erie held a seven point lead, the Pioneers came out of the halftime locker room and pulled out a 72-64 win.

The Pioneers and the Storm traded baskets throughout the first quarter, Lake Erie went on a few big runs heading into the halftime break. The momentum then switched in favor for the Pioneers; capped off by a pair of free throws made by Holly Groff, the Pioneers went on a 11-0 run. While the Storm climbed back to bring it within two points, Malone held them off with a series of free throws from Alexis Hutchison.

In total, four Pioneers scored double digits – Robin Campbell (19), Holly Groff (18), Alexis Hutchison (16), and Emma Kallas (12). Campbell went 6-6 from the field and 7-13 from behind the charity stripe. Hutchison and Groff each had three steals and Groff pulled down a team-high six rebounds – all on the opposite side of the court. As a team, Malone shot 53.2% from the field and had 22 points off turnovers.
 
Hardwood Series
Thursday's matchup will be the twelfth all-time meeting between the Pioneers and the Trojans, with Malone holding a 7-4 lead all-time.

Due to COVID-19 protocols last year, both games between Malone and Trevecca Nazarene were cancelled.

The last time the Pioneers tipped off against the Trojans was in January of 2020 in which Malone won 81-53 within Osborne Hall. In that game, Holly Groff sank a then career-high seven three-pointers and finished with 21 points and Robin Campbell added 20 points.
 
Knowing Your Opponent
Trevecca Nazarene University was handed its second straight Great Midwest Athletic Conference game, with a 77-56 lost to Hillsdale College on Saturday at home.

The Chargers outscored the Trojans in every quarter, except the second quarter in which Trevecca Nazarene scored 21 points to Hillsdale's 18. However, off the bench, junior Alex McFarlin played a team-high 30 minutes, and scored a team-high 18 points on 4-of-6 shooting from distance. Junior Bayleigh Carmichel hit five three-pointers for 15 points and finished the contest with four rebounds.

As a team, the Trojans shot 10-34 (29.3%) from deep and 22-56 (39.3%) from the field. But the Chargers won the battle of rebounds (37-33) and scored 19 points off Trevecca Nazarene's 20 turnovers whereas the Trojans scored just 3 points off the 14 Hillsdale turnovers.
 
Looking Ahead
Malone will stay at home for the weekend, as they host Kentucky Wesleyan College on Saturday, December 11^th. Tip-off between the Pioneers and the Panthers is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.