CANTON, Ohio – The Malone University women's basketball team extended their winning streak to eight games on Thursday evening with a 73-63 triumph over Cedarville University. The Pioneers are now 13-2 overall and a perfect 7-0 inside the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) while the Yellow Jackets fall to 8-8 and 4-4 in league play.
 
A high-scoring first quarter saw both teams score 19 points on 7-of-16 from the field. Cedarville started the game on a 5-0 run and that would be the largest advantage either team had in the quarter. Malone's bench scored 13 points in the period.
 
The second quarter was equally as tight as the Yellow Jackets took a 35-33 lead into halftime. Brooklyn Troyer netted seven straight points for the Pioneers early in the frame to get the offense started on the right foot. Kylee Bruce recorded a blocked shot that led to an Anna Krupa layup in transition that would spark Malone just before the final buzzer in the half.
 
The Pioneers used that momentum to reclaim the lead in the opening minutes of the third quarter and from there, the home team remained in front for the duration of the game. Brinn Hunt connected on a three to start the 22-12 quarter in favor of Malone. The Pioneers were able to dump it inside to Erin Kaufman and effectively moved the ball from the painted area.
 
Kyli Horn moved the lead to double figures on the first make of the fourth quarter and the defense and free throw shooting was enough to maintain a firm gap between the two teams in the 73-63 win.
 
Abbey Price was the team's leading scorer off the bench with 15 points. Despite being in foul trouble, Kaufman still finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, tied for the team lead with Aila Miller. Troyer was the final student-athlete in double figures with 13 points. Nataley Armstrong distributed a team-high four assists. Krupa was a menace defensively six of the team's nine steals.
 
A 42-36 difference in rebounding seemed insurmountable with 17 of those coming on the offensive end of the floor for the Pioneers. That led to a 16-4 difference in scoring on second chance opportunities. Malone also had 21 points on turnovers compared to 12 for Cedarville.
 
The Pioneers remain at home on Saturday, January 18 for a contest versus Thomas More University. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 P.M.