DETROIT, Mich. – The Malone University Women's basketball team traveled to Wayne State University on Friday to start their 2024-25 season. In the first of two weekend road games, the Pioneers opened the season with a win a score of 67-60. With the win, Malone is 1-0 and the Warriors fall to 0-1.
 
Wayne State used the home court energy to jump out to a 19-11 lead after the first quarter. After going down by 10 early in the second, Malone was able to create momentum by battling back to keep the deficit in single digits.
 
After a three-pointer by Brinn Hunt at 1:34 in the second quarter, the Pioneers were able to cut it to a one-point game 30-29. On the final possession of the first half, Kyli Horn was able to hit a three-pointer to trim the deficit back to a one point game at the break.
 
Malone opened the second half with the first basket to take their first lead of the game, 34-33.
Once grabbing the narrow lead, the Warriors kept it tight, but the Pioneers never gave the lead back. In the fourth, they continued to push the lead to double digits to hold Wayne State the remainder of the game.
 
Erin Kaufman had 17 points and eight rebounds to lead the road team. Hunt chipped in with 15 points offensively. Off the bench, Nataley Armstrong had a great all-around effort with nine points, five assists and four steals.
 
Statistically, Malone scored nineteen points off of turnovers compared to the Warriors six. The Pioneers led off the bench scoring with seventeen points over Wayne State's sixteen. Both teams were able to gain a lead once and also both tied with ten second chance points.
 
Malone travels to University of Indianapolis on Sunday, November 10 for their next game. Tip-off is at 1:00 P.M. in Indianapolis.