MIDLAND, Mich. – The Malone University women's basketball team faced the newest member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), and continued their current road stretch on Saturday afternoon as they played the Northwood University Timberwolves.

The second quarter was a major catalyst of the victory as the Pioneers extended their two point lead to a 51-27 lead made possible by outscoring Northwood 27-5 in the quarter. 

With the victory, Malone improves to 17-6 on the year and 11-4 in conference play. They currently sit in third place in G-MAC standings.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Final Score: Malone University 88 – Northwood University 60
• Records: Malone (17-6, 11-4 G-MAC) | Northwood (9-12, 6-8 G-MAC)
• Location: Midland, MI | E.W. Bennett Sports Center

THE GAME
Brooklyn Troyer got the scoring started as the teams' opening possessions both came up empty. Her opening layup would be the only shot she would get inside the arc as she shot efficiently from three-point range for the remainder of the game.

The Timberwolves quickly gained a seven point advantage.

Erin Kaufman and Alexis Hutchison worked together to get Malone within one point before Kyli Horn ended the opening quarter with a three-pointer. The Pioneers would not trail for the rest of the game as the offensive and defensive efforts for Malone exploded in the second quarter.

Horn's three-pointer was the beginning of 21 unanswered Pioneer points.

Highlights of the run included three long range shots by Brooklyn Troyer and an Emma Kallas three-pointer. The Pioneers had three steals in that stretch as well.

The first points for the Timberwolves in the second quarter came off a three-pointer at the 4:35 mark. Alexis Hutchison capped the 27-point quarter with a buzzer-beater three-point shot of her own to send Malone to halftime with a 24-point lead. 

A block by Kaufman and a steal by Hutchison set up Horn for a fastbreak shot to open the second half.

Northwood cut to the lead to 19 before Brinn Hunt hit back-to-back shots from downtown.

Troyer closed the period with another three-pointer.

For the third quarter, the teams offensively were equal as they both scored 18 points to keep the Pioneers' lead at 24.

Fourth quarter action started with a Northwood layup, but Nataley Armstrong responded with her own three-pointer followed by another Troyer three.

Hunt hit a three at the 6:49 mark to give Malone their first 30+ point lead of the afternoon. 

The Pioneers continued to hold a high-20's point lead as the game wound down.

After they rebounded a missed Northwood free throw, the Pioneers were able to run out the final ten seconds for the 88-60 win, their eighth straight victory on the road.

The women's basketball team hasn't lost on the road since their 77-71 loss against rival Walsh University in mid-December.

THE DETAILS

• Brooklyn Troyer led all scorers with 17 points. She was 6-8 from the field, including a perfect 5 for 5 from three-point range. She also had a team-high 6 rebounds on the afternoon.
• Alexis Hutchison and Emma Kallas each added 16 points and 3 rebounds. They combined to shoot 13-21 from the field. Hutchison also had a game-high 6 assists.
• Erin Kaufman had 14 points, 5 rebounds, and three steals in the game. Brinn Hunt rounded out the Pioneers double-digit scorers with 11 points, including 3 three-pointers.
• Malone had seven different players score beyond the arc, sinking 14 on 25 attempts. This tied the season-high set when they shot 14-27 against Lake Erie in early December.
• The 18 Northwood turnovers were turned into 29 points for the Pioneers on the other end of the court. By comparison, Malone tied a season-low with their 9 turnovers. In addition to the long ball effort, the Pioneers also outscored Northwood 38-22 in the paint. 

WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers will have the last game on this road trip next Thursday as they travel to Columbus, Ohio to face Ohio Dominican University. Tip off is scheduled for 5:30 pm on February 9th.

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.