GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Malone University women's basketball team won their sixth straight game on Wednesday afternoon at Davenport University, 70-56. The Pioneers, who are receiving votes in the most recent Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) poll, are a perfect 6-0 while the Panthers fall to 0-5.
 
A diverse scoring attack with four student-athletes in double figures helped fuel the win. Erin Kaufman led the way with 14 points. Elena Oliver and Bridget Barber tied with 12 points each and it is the first time that the freshman Barber has reached double-digits. Abbey Price chipped in with 11 points in just 17 minutes played.
 
Malone jumped out to a 21-10 lead at the end of the first quarter thanks to a 16-2 run. Oliver had a pair of baskets, along with a three by Aila Miller, an and-one by Barber and capped off by a Nataley Armstrong jump shot on the fastbreak. Davenport was held scoreless for nearly five minutes until 2:13 remaining in the quarter. Meredith Randulic rained down a three in the closing seconds to further extend the lead.
 
The gap grew to as many as 17 in the second after the Pioneers scored on each of their first three offensive possessions. Randulic was true from beyond the arc again later in the quarter and Barber knocked down another shot while being fouled, this one from downtown for a four-point play. A Price layup once again gave Malone positive momentum at the end of a period at 39-26.
 
Through the first three minutes of the third, the difference was a game-high 20 points after a 7-0 Pioneer scoring run. Kylee Bruce nailed a three-point try to begin the run; however, the Panthers were relentless in a 22-14 quarter for the home team. Davenport accumulated nine points in a row to end the third at 53-48.
 
Similar to two nights ago, Price took over the final quarter as she netted seven straight Malone points to give the team some breathing room. Another three by Barber pushed the lead to 14 at 66-52 with 3:32 to play. That deficit was too much for Davenport to overcome as the Pioneers pulled away for the 70-56 win.
 
The defense held the Panthers to 37.0% (20-of-54) from the floor and just 22.2% (4-of-18) from three-point range. Davenport was also just 12-for-20 from the free throw line. Malone dominated the rebounding battle 47-28. 18 offensive rebounds led to a 20-9 difference in second chance points for the Pioneers. Barber was the team's individual leader with a career-high seven boards.
 
Malone will celebrate the holiday season and then be back in action on Thursday, December 4 at home inside Osborne Hall. Ursuline College will be in town for the first Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) game of the 2025-26 season beginning at 5:30 P.M.