CANTON, Ohio -- The Malone University women's basketball team returns home tonight looking to rebound after a late comeback attempt came up short on the road at Walsh over the weekend. 

The Matchup: Hillsdale College Chargers (2-13, 2-13 G-MAC) at Malone University Pioneers (6-9, 6-9 G-MAC)

Where: Osborne Hall

When: 5:30 p.m.

Live Stats: Great Midwest Digital Network 

Live Video: Great Midwest Digital Network 

MALONE-HILLSDALE HARDWOOD SERIES
Tonight will be the second matchup between these schools this season. Malone opened up this season back in November with an 84-76 win at Hillsdale. 

In that contest Holly Groff led all scorers with 27 points, including 5-7 shooting from beyond the three-point line. 

Overall it will be the 13th meeting all-time between the Pioneers and Chargers, with Hillsdale holding a slight 7-5 lead in the series. 


COVID-19 PROTOCOLS 
Due to current local health regulations, a limited number of spectators will be permitted to attend each game played inside Osborne Hall. Right now, this access is limited to families of Malone University players and coaches. There is also a ticket allotment given to the visiting team. These tickets will continue to be pre-sale only, and must be redeemed ahead of time through our online ticketing partner Eventbrite.

There are still no walk-up transactions permitted at the gate.

Malone University will adhere to school, local and state guidelines as it pertains to the COVID-19 pandemic. If patrons are feeling ill, we ask that you remain home.

All patrons are asked to wear a mask and social distance inside the gym. We also ask that patrons exit the building immediately following the contest.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PIONEERS

1. In Saturday's match-up at Walsh, Alexis Hutchison had a new career-high in points, leading the Pioneers with 22 points, including 2-4 from beyond the three-point line.

2. Robin Campbell returned to the starting lineup against Walsh and responded with 15 points. The junior guard is just 8 points away from the 1,000-career point mark and has now topped at least 10 points in all but two games this season.

3. Holly Groff rounded out the double-digit scorers for Malone on Saturday with 14 points, shooting 6-12 from the field and 2-4 from a distance. She also led the team's efforts on the boards with six rebounds.

4. Groff continues to lead NCAA Division II with 50 made three-point field goals. She also leads the G-MAC in minutes played (36.7) and is top-10 in scoring, three-point field goal percentage, three-point field goals per game, and assist/turnover ratio.

5. As a team, Malone ranks second in all of NCAA Division II in team assists (252) and tenth in assists per game (18.0). Individually Campbell leads the team with 52 assists, followed closely by Groff with 51, placing both within the top 15 leaders in assists in the conference.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Hillsdale comes into tonight's game off a 72-68 loss to Findlay. Aided by the team's best defensive effort of the season, the Chargers led for nearly 20 minutes and were within 10 points or less of the lead for nearly the entire contest. 

As a team Hillsdale ranks within the top-five in the conference in field goal percentage, field goals made, free throw percentage, and blocked shots.

The Chargers are led by junior Grace Touchette and sophomore Sydney Mills. Touchette currently ranks 10^th in the conference in points scored per game (14.7) and has earned 220 points for the Chargers in their fifteen games this season. Mills has pulled down 152 rebounds, placing her in the top spot in the G-MAC.

Hillsdale boasts a strong offense beyond the arc with three players inside the top ten of the conference in three-point field goal percentage, with Jaycie Burger (5^th at .373), Lauren Daffenberg (6^th at .370), and Grace Touchette (9^th at .313).

WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers will host the Oilers of the University of Findlay on Saturday. Malone will celebrate Senior Day prior to the 1:00 p.m. tip-off.