CANTON, Ohio -- On Saturday afternoon the Malone University women's basketball team closed out the 2020-21 regular season with a Great Midwest Athletic Conference matchup against Ohio Dominican University. 

The Pioneers (9-11. 9-11 G-MAC) were down just one possession at halftime, but a strong second half from the Panthers (15-6, 15-6 G-MAC) allowed ODU to pick up the 79-63 win. 

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Malone weathered an early Ohio Dominican storm in the opening quarter. The Panthers scored first, and led by as many eight points at 15-7 with 3:08 left in the quarter. The Pioneers' defense dug in over those final three minutes however, and helped put together an 8-0 run to make it a 15-13 game headed into the second quarter. 

Alexis Hutchison capped off the run with a three-pointer inside the final ten seconds to cut the deficit down to 15-13. 

Early in the second Robin Campbell tied the game at 17-17 with a layup. She was fouled on the play, and converted the 'and one' opportunity to give Malone their first lead of the afternoon. After a defensive stop by the Pioneers Holly Groff found Mikayla Poole for a fastbreak bucket to put Malone up 20-17 with 7:26 remaining in the half. Unfortunately three points would prove to be the largest lead all afternoon for the home team. 

The teams traded scores for much of the second half, but a late run by the Panthers allowed Ohio Dominican to carry a 35-32 lead to the halftime locker room.

ODU came out of the break and quickly stretched their lead to double-digits at 45-35. Malone remained within striking distance thanks to some big shots from both Hutchison and Campbell, but still the Panthers led 55-48 heading into the final quarter.

When the visitor's went ahead 62-52 at the 7:02 mark their lead did not drop below double-digits. Malone got plenty of good looks late within their offensive system, but simply could not get the shots to fall. 

In the end ODU pulled away for a 79-63 win. 

PIONEER POINTS

• Emma Kallas finished with a team-high 13 points. She was 6-8 from the field, and also tied for a team-high five rebounds. 

• Holly Groff, Robin Campbell and Alexis Hutchison all topped the double-digit point mark, while it was Groff who dished out a team-high six assists. 

• As a unit Malone was active on the defensive end of the floor, forcing ODU into 16 turnovers. Those extra opportunities led to 15 points on the offensive side of the floor. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Pioneers have officially clinched a bid into the 2021 Great Midwest Women's Basketball Championships. Malone enters the postseason as the No. 8 seed and will travel to regular season champion, and No. 1 seed Cedarville University on Tuesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for for 6:30 p.m.