ASHLAND, Ohio – On Thursday evening, the Malone university women's basketball team closed out the road portion of their schedule as they traveled to face top ranked Ashland University for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) match up.

The contest was close throughout as neither team got into a double-digit lead. The Pioneers took a four point lead into halftime, but Ashland came out on top with the 59-55 victory.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Final Score: Malone University 55 – Ashland University 59
• Records: Malone (19-8, 13-6 G-MAC) | Ashland (28-0, 20-0 G-MAC)
• Location: Ashland, Ohio | Charles Kates Gymnasium

THE GAME
The Pioneers took the opening possession for a three-pointer from Emma Kallas.

Ashland responded with their best scoring run of the night, scoring eleven unanswered. It would be the largest lead for the Eagles throughout the game.

A three-pointer from Alexis Hutchison and a fastbreak layup by Kallas brought Malone within three points. 

Out of the media timeout, Hutchison again found the basket with a layup, but both defenses dug in for the final minutes of the first quarter.

Ashland had their final points of the quarter on a layup with 2:54 left. Kyli Horn had the Pioneers final points of the quarter with a three-pointer.

The strong defenses from both teams continued as just five total points were scored in the first six minutes of the second quarter - another layup from Ashland and a three from Brinn Hunt. 

Alexis Hutchison gave Malone their first lead of the game with a shot from the paint, but the Eagles quickly responded with a pair of free throws and another layup. 

A three-pointer from Nataley Armstrong tied the game as she started the Pioneers best scoring run with seven unanswered. 

Alexis Hutchison closed the first half with a layup and sent the teams to the locker room with the Pioneers up by four.

Malone held the Eagles to just 8 points in the second quarter.

Hutchison hit from deep at the 8:37 mark of the third quarter to give the Pioneers their biggest lead of the night.

The entire third quarter was back and forth as it became the highest scoring quarter for both teams.

The largest lead for either team after Hutchison's five point lead was just four points. 

Ashland hit from deep with just over a minute to play, but Alexis Hutchison had a buzzer beater layup to tied up the score at 43 heading into the final quarter. 

The Eagles had the first points of the fourth quarter, but Hutchison tied the game up. Kyli Horn had her second three-pointer to give Malone the lead. 

Hutchison stopped a run by Ashland of nine unanswered points. She then brought the Pioneers within two with back-to-back layups with 41 seconds left.

However, Ashland sank two from the charity stripe with just seconds left to finish their undefeated season.

Overall, the game featured nine lead changes, and came down to the wire before Ashland secured the win.

THE DETAILS

• Alexis Hutchison led all scorers with 29 points as she shot 13-29 from the field. She also had a game high seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals. 
• Kyli Horn sank two three-pointers on her way to nine total points. 
• As a team, the Pioneers capitalized on the 21 Ashland turnovers to generate 19 points. They also edged out the Eagles 30-28 on points in the paint and on fastbreak points. 
• Malone was also more efficient from deep as they shot 41.2% as compared to Ashland's 31.8%.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers will close out the regular season on Saturday against Northwood University.

Prior to the 1:00 pm tip-off, the women's basketball team will honor their three seniors: Alexis Hutchison, Emma Kallas, and team manager Kate Daugherty.

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.