CANTON, Ohio - The #25 Malone University women's basketball team broke their two-game losing streak with a victory at home against the University of Findlay Oilers on Saturday afternoon, 73-64. The Pioneers are now 12-3 overall and 5-2 inside the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) while Findlay is 6-8 and 2-5.

The victory marks the 130th in the career of Head Coach Selana Ickes. She is tied with Malone Athletics Hall of Fame member Kathy Haas for the most coaching wins in program history.
 
The changes started before the opening tip-off with a new starting lineup that featured appearances by Brinn Hunt and Alyssa Geiser for the first time this season. Three-point field goals by Irene Maroto and Erin Kaufman got the team out to a solid start up 7-2, but just as quickly seven points the other way put the Oilers in front. Findlay had a 17-16 advantage through the first quarter.
 
Findlay broke it open in the second and had a lead as big as 10 at 29-19 with just under five minutes remaining. Hunt netted eight points from that point on in the period to cut the gap to just one at halftime, 34-33.
 
The Pioneers pounded the ball inside to their post players and scored 9-of-11 points to begin the second half. Another scoring run, this time 10-0 in favor of Malone, put the home squad up 13 at 54-41. It was capped off when Nataley Armstrong found Kaufman inside for two.
 
The Pioneers took a 57-47 lead into the fourth quarter and that gap grew to as many as 15 in the early stages of the period. Maroto had a block defensively and scored on back-to-back possessions to begin the fourth. Findlay made four shots from long range to stay in touch, but Malone's 24-13 scoring difference in the third was too much to overcome. Hunt and Kylee Bruce put the finishing touches to a 73-64 win at the free throw line.
 
Efficiency from distance was a key to the game and something the team has lacked recently. The Pioneers were feeling it in the friendly confines of Osborne Hall at a cool 9-for-20 (45.0%). Malone also made the most of their opportunities at the free throw line at 16-of-18 (88.9%).
 
Kaufman led the squad in scoring with 21 points, but Hunt was outstanding with 12 points and team-high marks in rebounds (7) and steals (3). Bruce (14 points) and Maroto (10 points) joined them in double figures. Bridget Barber and Bruce were credited with three assists apiece.
 
The homestand continues for the women's basketball team against Kentucky Wesleyan College on Thursday, January 15 at 5:30 P.M.