CANTON, Ohio -- The Malone University women's basketball team has a quick turnaround this afternoon as they will play their second game in a span of three days. The Pioneers will make the 4.4 mile drive across town to battle the Walsh University Cavaliers in a matchup of Great Midwest Athletic Conference rivals.
The Matchup: Malone University Pioneers (6-8, 6-8 G-MAC) at Walsh University Cavaliers (8-4, 8-4 G-MAC)
Where: Walsh University - Cecchini Center
When: 1:00 p.m.
Live Stats: Great Midwest Digital Network
Live Video: Great Midwest Digital Network
MALONE-WALSH HARDWOOD SERIES
This afternoon will be the 86th meeting all time on the basketball court between these two rivals. Walsh holds a 49-36 lead in the overall series, and the Cavaliers have won six straight matchups in a row.
The Pioneers last win came back in December of 2016, a 74-66 victory in North Canton.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PIONEERS
- Malone turned in one of their most complete performances of the season in Thursday night's 79-58 home win over Ursuline. Led by 16 points from Madison Hunter, the Pioneers had five different players score in double-digits. The defense forced Ursuline into 22 turnovers that led to 25 points on the other end of the floor.
-
Robin Campbell is continuing to track towards the 1,000th career point of her Pioneer career. The junior guard is now at 977 career points.
-
By limiting Ursuline to just 58 points on Thursday Malone tied a season-low for points allowed. The Pioneers currently sit fifth in the G-MAC allowing an average of 73.3 points per game. On the offensive end Malone is averaging 76.3 points making them one of only seven G-MAC teams who have a positive scoring margin so far this season.
-
The first edition of the G-MAC Point Rating System was released on Wednesday and the Pioneers were ranked eighth. The PRS is used to qualify and seed teams for the 2021 Great Midwest Championship Tournament.
-
Holly Groff continues to lead the country with 48 made three-point field goals. She also leads the G-MAC in minutes played (36.6) and is top-10 in scoring, three-point field goal percentage, assists, and assist/turnover ratio.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Walsh comes into this afternoon's game off a blowout 75-44 win at Ohio Valley on Tuesday night. Prior to that game, they had a three-game win streak interrupted by a 69-64 loss on February 1 at Ohio Dominican.
The Cavaliers boast the top defense in the G-MAC. Walsh is allowing their opponents to score just an average of 64 points per game. Their defensive efforts are led by senior forward Mayci Sales who is averaging a G-MAC best 1.6 blocked shots per game.
On the offensive end of the floor the Cavaliers average 80.5 points per game, a mark that ranks fifth in the conference. Sales is also the team's leading scorer at 19.5 points per game, but they also have junior Quionche Carter who sits sixth in the league at 17.1 points per game.
WHAT'S NEXT
Malone returns home next weekend for a pair of G-MAC games. First up will be a matchup with the Hillsdale College Chargers on Thursday. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Malone University athletic programs this year follow the Pioneers on Twitter and Instagram, like Malone University Athletics on Facebook or visit malonepioneers.com.
