CANTON, Ohio -- The Malone University women's basketball team completed the season sweep of the Ursuline College Arrows inside Osborne Hall on Thursday night. 

The Pioneers (6-8, 6-8 G-MAC) clung to a 36-31 lead at halftime, but doubled up the Arrows (6-9, 6-9 G-MAC) in the third quarter and built on that lead in the fourth to secure a 79-58 win.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
The Malone offense came out of the gate hitting on all cylinders in the first quarter. The Pioneers opened up the game on an 11-2 run. The run was highlighted by a Holly Groff three-pointer as well as a pair of baskets from Emma Kallas.

The Arrows settled in, but Malone was still able to maintain their advantage. After the opening ten minutes of play the Pioneers led 18-14.

The second quarter was much more tightly contested with Ursuline getting to within just one point on several different occasions. It was a 32-21 game with just under 1:30 to play, but Malone closed the half with back-to-back scores from Lexi Manos and Robin Campbell to take a 36-31 lead to the locker room.

The halftime break did the Pioneers well as the third quarter was all Malone. 

Alexis Hutchison opened up the scoring on a layup. After an Ursuline turnover Mikayla Poole drilled a three-point to put the Pioneers up by double-digits.

The Arrows managed to stay within striking distance before a late 8-0 Malone run started to put the game away. That particular run also included four points from Kallas, while Groff and Hunter each added to scores to help give the Pioneers a 58-42 advantage heading into the final period. 

Malone never saw their lead fall below 12 points in the fourth quarter, and actually led by as many as 20 points two different times. Myla Kline closed out the scoring for both sides as her late jumper put the finishing touches on the 79-58 win for the Pioneers.

PIONEER POINTS

• Alexis Hutchison scored 12 points and pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds to finish with the first double-double of her career.

• It was Madison Hunter who led Malone in the scoring department. She finished with 16 points on an efficient 7-11 shooting from the field. 

• Holly Groff, Emma Kallas and Robin Campbell all topped the 10 point marker to give Malone five double-digit scorers in the win.

• Malone held a slight edge on the boards, outrebounding Ursuline 26-25. The Pioneers made the most of their opportunities however as 15 offensive rebounds translated into 15 second chance points. Malone also held a massive 50-32 advantage on points in the paint.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Malone will make the short drive across town this weekend for a rivalry matchup at Walsh University. Saturday's tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.