WHEELING, W. Va. – The Malone University Women's Basketball team had their final non-conference game of the season as they rung in the New Year with a trip to Wheeling, West Virginia. 

The Pioneers had a hard fought battle with the Cardinals for the first three quarters until the Pioneers outscored the home team in the final quarter 23-13 to take home the 63-56 victory.

The Pioneers finish their non-conference portion of their schedule 6-2.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Final Score: Malone University 63 – Wheeling University 56
• Records: Malone (10-4, 4-2 G-MAC) | Wheeling (6-6, 4-2 MEC)
• Location: Wheeling, West Virginia | Alma McDonough Center

THE GAME
The Wheeling Cardinals scored the first points of the game at the 8:47 mark after neither team could score on their opening possessions.

Kyli Horn got the Pioneers on the board with a layup over a minute later. The two teams would trade baskets for the entire opening quarter. The second quarter was similar, but Wheeling held the lead until Erin Kaufman sank a three-pointer to tie the game. 

The Pioneers would gain up to a five point lead when Alexis Hutchison sank a basket. There was still three minutes left to play before the break, but the point advantage remained with the Pioneers as they took a 28-27 point lead into the locker room.

Second half action started with the Cardinals scoring and it took almost two minutes for Alexis Hutchison to score Malone's first points of the second half.

While both teams continued to trade baskets like they had all game, Wheeling got a seven-point advantage before the Pioneer offense went on a seven-point run to tie the game at 40.

However, the Cardinals responded with a three-pointer for the final score of the third quarter with 1:37 left on the clock.

The first three minutes of the final period once again saw the teams go back and forth. After Wheeling tied the game with just over six minutes left, Emma Kallas would sink a shot from beyond the arc to give the Pioneer's a lead. This would be the final lead change as Malone would just extend the lead. 

A contributing factor to the lead growing was the fact that Malone was in the bonus for most of the fourth quarter and sank seven shots from the charity stripe in the four minutes. As the buzzer went off, the scoreboard read 63-57 in favor of the visiting Pioneers.

THE DETAILS

• Alexis Hutchison and Emma Kallas led the Pioneers with 16 points each. Combined they also added 15 rebounds to Malone's efforts. Hutchison had a game-high 5 assists and 3 steals.
• Erin Kaufman was the only other Pioneer with double-digit scoring with 10, however she grabbed a career-high and game-high 14 rebounds. It is the highest rebound count since Hannah McCue had 14 rebounds in multiple games during the 2016-2017 season (the last one coming on 3/3/17 against Cedarville)
• Kyli Horn and Nataley Armstrong both contributed nine points and a steal each.
• As a team, the Pioneers out-rebounded Wheeling 42-25 and had 11 total steals.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers return to Great Midwest action as they travel to Hillsdale, Michigan to take on the Hillsdale College Chargers this Saturday. The January 7th tip off is scheduled for 1 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.