CANTON, Ohio - The Malone University women's basketball team came from behind to defeat Wayne State University of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) on Friday evening, 75-65. The Pioneers trailed by eight when the fourth quarter began but outscored the Warriors 29-11 in the final period to claim the victory.
 
Malone is now 1-0 to begin the 2025-26 season and Wayne State falls to 1-2 on the year. The Pioneers held the Warriors to 37.7% (23-of-61) from the field and had a 17-5 advantage on second chance opportunities to lead the comeback. Malone was careless with the basketball for 26 turnovers, but dug deep defensively to overcome that negative statistic.
 
Senior Erin Kaufman did a little bit of everything with a team-high 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Junior Elena Oliver (14 points) and redshirt sophomore Meredith Randulic (13 points) were also in double figures. Senior Brinn Hunt had seven key defensive rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench and sparked a 44-29 edge on the glass.
 
Head Coach Selana Ickes had to use a timeout at the 6:37 mark in the first quarter after the team fell behind 12-2. A steady presence by the Wayne State defense forced turnovers for points on the other end of the floor. The lead grew to a game-high 14 points at 19-5, but a jumper by senior Nataley Armstrong just before the buzzer made it 20-12 through ten minutes.
 
The teams traded blows in the second quarter for 14 points apiece to send it to halftime 34-26. Senior Anna Krupa had a quality period with an offensive rebound and bucket as well as a successful three-point try.
 
The offenses were more efficient in the third quarter, but the deficit remained the same at 54-46 through three quarters. Randulic buried a pair of threes in the closing minutes of the frame and the Pioneers looked inside to Kaufman for paint points and free throws.
 
A 10-2 scoring run for the home team evened the score at 56 with 4:30 to play. Oliver scored on two field goal attempts and then with the score tied 61-61 later on, Oliver converted on two free throws, a layup and an and-one off the feed from Kaufman for seven consecutive points herself to solidify the victory. Sophomore Abbey Price had four two throws in the midst of an 8-for-9 stretch and made a layup to conclude the game at 75-65.
 
The Pioneers are back in action on Saturday, October 15 for their second home game in a row, this time against the University of Indianapolis. Tip-off in Osborne Hall is set for 5:30 P.M.