CALIFORNIA, Pa. - For the first time this season, the #16 Malone University women's basketball team suffered a loss against the California University of Pennsylvania, 72-61. The Vulcans improve to 6-6 overall, but their record does not accurately reflect how good this team is in the midst of playing the sixth-toughest schedule in all of NCAA Division II. The Pioneers are 10-1 following the non-conference loss.
 
The game was close throughout despite a drastic difference in field goal percentage. California was 26-of-51 (51.0%) while Malone was restricted to 25-for-68 (36.8%), the second-worst mark in a game on the year. It was a season-low from beyond the three-point line, however, at 3-for-17 (17.6%). The Vulcans went on the fastbreak effectively for a 23-5 advantage, but the Pioneers won the rebounding battle 44-25 with 21 offensive rebounds that led to an 18-2 difference in second chance points.
 
Redshirt sophomore Meredith Randulic put a stop to a 7-0 scoring run for California with a successful three-point try just before the media timeout to tie the score up at 7-7. Malone responded with looks inside to seniors Aila Miller and Erin Kaufman. They combined for the final six points in a 13-13 first quarter.
 
The Vulcans led by as many as six in the second quarter at 21-15, but an and-one by junior Irene Maroto sparked a 9-0 scoring run for the visitors. The Pioneers led 28-24 after makes by junior Elena Oliver and senior Nataley Armstrong with 2:32 to go in the half. That would be where the scoring stopped for Malone and back-to-back three's by California put them back in front at halftime, 30-28.
 
In the third quarter alone, the score was tied nine times and the lead changed hands six times. The Pioneers were 6-of-15 and Vulcans 7-of-14 in the period and a three at the buzzer put California ahead 48-45. The duo of Kaufman and Miller combined for 10 points in the third.
 
Three-point field goals by Maroto and Kaufman helped keep Malone within one possession at 54-51, but the Vulcans strengthened their defense in the late stages of the game and took full advantage of opportunities against the press and at the free throw line. California pulled away for the 72-61 win thanks to a 10-for-10 effort at the charity stripe and a 10-0 difference on the fastbreak.
 
Kaufman was the individual leader in scoring with 17 points and Miller joined her in double figures with 10 off the bench. Oliver just missed a double-double and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. Senior Brinn Hunt dished out four of the team's six assists.
 
The Pioneers take on Bryant & Stratton College in the final game outside of Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play on Tuesday, December 30. Tip-off inside of Osborne Hall is set for 5:30 P.M. immediately following the men's basketball game against Kent State University at Tuscarawas.