SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Malone University women's basketball team held off Lake Superior State University (0-5) for their fifth consecutive win to begin the 2025-26 season. Malone was victorious by a score of 69-63.
 
The Pioneers were sluggish once the ball was tipped and converted just one of their first ten shots taken. Six offensive rebounds helped Malone take 18 total shots in the first, but made just three of those (16.7%). Despite a poor shooting effort, the score was even at 11-11 through the opening frame. Erin Kaufman had six points in the first period.
 
The second quarter was much better offensively for the Pioneers as the visitors took a 29-24 lead into halftime. Lake Superior State scored the first four points of the second before Brinn Hunt buried a three to spark some momentum for Malone. Meredith Randulic would do the same in the midst of a 12-2 scoring run for the Pioneers. Hunt knocked down one more from beyond the arc in the closing minutes of the quarter, but the Lakers answered with a shot from deep of their own.
 
Malone extended their lead to double figures through three quarters at 46-35. Lake Superior State was limited to just 3-of-16 (18.8%) from the field and missed all seven attempts from three-point range. 10 of the final 11 points scored in the final three minutes were credited to the visiting team with an and-one by Kaufman as the emphasis to close the period.
 
The opponents from the upper peninsula did not go away easily, however and cut the Pioneer lead down to as little as five with 2:14 to play. Abbey Price converted a pull-up jumper and an and-one layup to keep the team in front. Malone made their free throws down the stretch to secure the 69-63 win.
 
For the third game this season, Kaufman finished with a double-double, this time with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Price was the second-highest scorer with 15 points, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter. Elena Oliver led the team with five assists. The Pioneers won the turnover battle 13-10, and held a 13-6 edge on points off opponent miscues. The team had a season-low 23 made field goals on 35.4% from the floor (23-of-65), but found a way to win thanks to a great defensive effort. 
 
The road trip continues for Malone at Davenport University on Wednesday, November 26 beginning at 12:00 P.M.