NORTH CANTON, Ohio – On Saturday afternoon, the Malone University women's basketball team had their first loss in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play when they traveled to crosstown rival Walsh University.
The Pioneers held the lead for a majority of the game, but a late fourth quarter offensive push by the Cavaliers allowed Walsh to come out with a victory.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Final Score: Malone University 71 – Walsh University 77
- Records: Malone (6-3, 3-1 G-MAC) | Walsh (4-4, 2-1 G-MAC)
- Location: Alumni Arena, North Canton, OH
THE GAME
For the second game in a row, Brooklyn Troyer opened the game with a three-point shot. Emma Kallas scored eight points in the first quarter, all of them layups, and the Pioneers carried a one point lead into the second period.
Walsh gained a one possession lead before both teams had massive substitutions. With the fresh lineup, Malone scored 10 unanswered to retain their lead. The Cavaliers ended the first half with a layup to cut into Malone's lead and send the teams to the locker rooms with the Pioneers up 38-33.
Second half scoring for the Pioneers was started with back-to-back three pointers by Troyer and another layup by Kallas on a fastbreak.
Walsh was not discouraged, and brought it within a possession before Erin Kaufman sank a layup. Walsh responded with their own layup to put the game back at a one-point lead.
Back-to-back three-pointers from Alexis Hutchison and Kyli Horn gave Malone a 56-49 lead with two minutes left in the third quarter.
After a couple of Cavalier free-throws, Malone took a three-point lead into the final period.
Kaufman scored with 5:57 left in the game to give the Pioneers their largest lead of the fourth quarter. But it was short lived as Walsh went on a 12-0 run.
A three-pointer from Horn and a jumper from Hutchison brought the Pioneers within two and forced the Cavaliers to take a time out with 2:46 left.
However, the Pioneers failed to regain momentum and had their first loss in conference play.
THE DETAILS
Alexis Hutchison led all scorers with 20 points. She also dished out a game-high and season-high 10 assists for her second double-double of the season.
Emma Kallas also secured her second double-double of the season with her 16 points and 10 rebounds. Kallas was a perfect 7-7 from the field and 2-2 on her free throws.
Brooklyn Troyer sank three shots from beyond the arc on her way to 11 points on the afternoon. Erin Kaufman also scored 11 points. She has scored double-digits in all nine games so far this season.
As a team, the Pioneers had 23 rebounds on the defensive end of the court and scored 17 points off Cavalier turnovers.
WHAT'S NEXT
On Thursday, December 15th Malone will welcome Kentucky Wesleyan College into Osborne Hall. Tip off between the Pioneers and the Panthers will be at 5:30 p.m.
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS
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 www.malonepioneers.com.
