CANTON – The Malone University women's basketball team opened up Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Tournament play on Tuesday night as they hosted the Northwood University Timberwolves for the second time in four days.

In contrast to Saturday's game with the Pioneers dominating the majority of the game, the two teams had a battle throughout the game on Tuesday evening.

However, Malone was able to come out on top and continue their season.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Final Score: Malone University 73 – Northwood University 63
• Records: Malone (21-8, 14-6 G-MAC) | Northwood (14-14, 11-9 G-MAC)
• Location: Canton, Ohio | Osborne Hall

THE GAME
Malone opened the game with an 11-2 run as Erin Kaufman, Brooklyn Troyer, and Emma Kallas found the bucket. All but Troyer's three-pointer came from inside the paint.

Northwood would not be put down in a similar way to Saturday, and quickly closed the gap to just two points with back-to-back three-pointers and two free throws.

Brinn Hunt put into the Pioneer lead with a three-pointer.

The Timberwolves closed out the first quarter with two layups. The first ten minutes were over with the Pioneers holding a slight 20-19 lead.

Kaufman started the second quarter with a layup before Kallas capitalized on a Northwood turnover with her own shot from the paint.

But the Timberwolves had their own five points after capitalizing on a Malone turnover to tie the game at 24.

Malone and Northwood continued to go back and forth.

With just over two minutes to go before halftime, the Timberwolves took a two point lead.

With 57 seconds left, Alexis Hutchison had her first points of the game, and sent the teams to the locker room with the score tied at 31.

The second half opened with the teams quickly changing possessions and the leads.

However, a three-pointer by Kyli Horn gave Malone the lead that they would keep, but it was a close battle for the rest of the game.

Brooklyn Troyer had a layup at 6:34 and just ten seconds later got a steal straight into a fastbreak jumper with an and-one that was successful. Her effort in just 14 seconds increased Malone's lead to nine points.

At 2:27 in the third quarter, Troyer sank a layup to increase Malone's lead into double-digits for the first time in the game since midway through the opening quarter. 

The Pioneers' strong offensive effort continued into the beginning of the fourth quarter as Horn sank another three-pointer to give Malone their largest lead of the night at 57-44.

The final quarter opened with quick offensive possessions for both teams. Combined the two squads scored 15 points in the first two and a half minutes.

With under four minutes to play, Northwood got within four points of the Pioneers before Kaufman, Hutchison, and Kallas scored seven unanswered.

The Timberwolves scored their last points on a pair of free throws with just over thirty seconds left, but Malone was able to sink three of their own from the charity stripe to close out the game.

THE DETAILS

• Erin Kaufman led all scorers in her first collegiate post-season game with 19, including going 6-8 from the field and 7-11 from the charity stripe. Kaufman and Emma Kallas each had four assists and three steals.
• Alexis Hutchison secured another double-double with her 14 points (12 in the second half) and career-high 15 total rebounds (10 on the defensive end). She also dished out a game-high seven assists.
• Brooklyn Troyer scored 14 points and Brinn Hunt had 11 points. Troyer also had three steals and pulled down five rebounds.
• While both teams had 18 turnovers, Malone capitalized by turning the Northwood turnovers into 26 points for the home team. Malone also outscored the Timberwolves 46-30 from within the paint. They slightly edged out Northwood 6-5 on second chance points and 9-6 on fastbreak points. 

WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers advance to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament Semifinals for the first time since 2020.

They will take on No. 1 Seed Ashland at Ashland University on Friday. Tip off from Ashland is set for 5:00 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.