CANTON – On Saturday afternoon, the Malone University women's basketball team hosted Northwood University for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) match up to close the regular season.

Prior to the game, the team honored the program's three members of the Class of 2023: guard Alexis Hutchison, forward Emma Kallas, and team manager Kate Daugherty.

The Pioneers led the entire game, and were able to hold off a thirteen point comeback attempt from the Timberwolves on their way to winning their 20th game of the season.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Final Score: Malone University 76 – Northwood University 53
• Records: Malone (20-8, 14-6 G-MAC) | Northwood (14-13, 11-9 G-MAC)
• Location: Canton, Ohio | Osborne Hall

THE GAME
Seniors Alexis Hutchison and Emma Kallas opened the game with back-to-back shots from the paint, sparking Malone to score the first 13 points unanswered. 

The Pioneers defense was also strong coming out of the gate, as Northwood did not score their first points of the game until a layup at the 3:59 mark. 

With less than a minute left in the opening quarter Erin Kaufman pushed the Pioneers' lead to 14.

However, the Timberwolves found their rhythm, scoring four points to end the first quarter, including a buzzer beater on a fast break.

The beginning portion of the second quarter saw the momentum continue for the visiting team. They continued their scoring run until the 6:21 mark when they got within one point of the home team.

At 5:58, Malone scored their first point of the second quarter with Kaufman sinking a free throw. 

This sparked a nice offensive run by the Pioneers with contributions from Brooklyn Troyer and Emma Kallas to push the lead back to double-digits.

Northwood responded with back-to-back layups, but that would be the closest they would get as Brinn Hunt and Alexis Hutchison worked to get the lead back to double digits.

The first half ended with Malone leading by ten.

Coming out of the locker room, five different Pioneers all found the basket from within the lane to extend the lead to 45-25.

The remainder of the third quarter was mainly back and forth action across the hardwood.

Kaufman closed out the third quarter with a layup as Malone entered the final quarter with a 17 point lead.

Hunt and Hutchison opened the fourth quarter with a layup and a three-pointer respectively. About halfway through the quarter, Anna Krupa got a shot from the paint to give Malone their largest lead of the afternoon at 28. 

Northwood responded with their final eight points until Hunt shot from deep to close out the game and the regular season.

THE DETAILS

• Emma Kallas tied a career high with 21 points as she went 8-11 from the field. She also grabbed 5 rebounds and 2 steals on her Senior Day.
• Senior Alexis Hutchison had another double-double with her 11 points and 10 rebounds. She snagged five steals. Her first free-throw in the first quarter pushed her over the mark of 500 points for the season and her six assists launched her into tenth on the program's All-Time Assists list. 
• Erin Kaufman had 15 points, shooting a near perfect 7-of-8 from the floor. In addition, she pulled down six rebounds. Brooklyn Troyer closed out the Pioneers' double-digit scorers with 13 points.
• Malone was hot from the paint as they scored 44 points. They also converted Northwood's 17 turnovers into the same number of points on the offensive end. The Pioneers outscored the Timberwolves 12-4 on fastbreak points.
• Head Coach Selana Reale led her team to their first 20 win season since she took over ahead of the 2018-2019 season. It is the first 20 win season for the program since Malone won the G-MAC Conference Championship and earned a bid to the NCAA DII Women's Basketball Tournament in the 2016-2017 season.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers will begin postseason play in the Great Midwest Championship Tournament. After earning the No. 4 seed, Malone will host the quarterfinal match up.

No. 5 seeded Northwood will be back in Osborne Hall for Tuesday evening's 5:30 p.m. tip-off.

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.