FAIRMONT, W.V. – The Malone University women's basketball team lost their first game of the season on Wednesday evening by a score of 74-66 at Fairmont State University. Both teams now hold a 4-1 overall record.

26 turnovers doomed Malone in this game. Those miscues led to 38 points on the other end for the Falcons. The Pioneers were held to 43.1% (25-of-58) from the field in the loss.
 
Junior Erin Kaufman led the Pioneers with 19 points and eight rebounds on 7-of-11 shooting. Junior Brinn Hunt was in double figures as well with 13 points. Freshman Abbey Price was credited with a team-high seven assists.
 
The lead changed hands numerous times in the first quarter, but a 10-2 run in favor of Fairmont State gave the opponents a 25-17 lead through 10 minutes of play. The Falcons would take a double-digit lead early in the second, but Malone went on a massive scoring spree to draw even at 31-31. Junior Alia Miller had back-to-back layups for the Pioneers to complete the comeback.
 
Malone would enter the locker room for halftime with the lead at 34-33, but Fairmont State would dominate the third quarter to reclaim the lead. The Falcons won the period 24-13 and the defense held the Pioneers to 3-of-11 from the field.
 
Down ten going into the fourth quarter 57-47, a three-ball from Hunt capped a 6-0 run to open the period. Fairmont State would respond by increasing their lead to a game-high 13 with 2:50 remaining in the game, and there was not enough time for Malone to come-from-behind yet again. At the final buzzer, the scoreboard read 74-66 Falcons.
 
The Pioneers return home for their next game, a non-conference contest versus Davenport University. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. with the men's basketball game against Grand Valley State University to follow.