MIDLAND, Mich. - The Malone University women's basketball team dropped their third straight road contest on Monday evening by a score of 73-54 at Northwood University. 27 turnovers were too many to overcome for the Pioneers. The Timberwolves remain unbeaten in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) at 6-0 and are 10-4 overall. The 19th-ranked Malone squad falls to 4-2 in conference action and 11-3 in total.
 
Action started fast and furious with both teams playing a little out of control from the opening tip. Nataley Armstrong and Erin Kaufman had one basket each in the first minute of play, but would go scoreless until Aila Miller was found inside for a layup to make it 6-5 Malone halfway through the period. Miller netted back-to-back field goals on each side of the media timeout, but a three-point barrage by the Timberwolves fueled a 12-0 run and the opponents led 21-10 after ten minutes.
 
Kylee Bruce knocked down the team's first shot from long range early in quarter number two to cut into the Northwood lead. Meredith Randulic had five points in the middle segment of the quarter, but the home squad kept the deficit in double figures with answers on the other end. At the half, the Timberwolves were in control, 39-26.
 
An 11-6 difference in turnovers led to a 14-2 advantage for Northwood in points scored. The Timberwolves were 16-of-36 (44.4%) from the floor in the first half while the Pioneers were held to 11-of-26 (42.3%).
 
Just as Northwood did in the first half, Malone started the second half by scoring off of miscues. An 11-0 run capped off by a three from Anna Krupa forced the Timberwolves into a timeout with their lead reduced to two at 39-37. Irene Maroto pushed in transition to tie the game with 3:28 to go in the third and Elena Oliver put the Pioneers in front with a pair of free throws. It was not until 2:06 to go in the period before Northwood scored for the first time since halftime.
 
Despite surrendering the lead momentarily, the Timberwolves took a 46-44 lead into the fourth quarter. Malone outscored their opponents 18-7 in total in the third. The Pioneers were 6-for-10 from the floor and held Northwood to just 1-of-11.
 
After offensive woes in the third, the Timberwolves netted seven straight points to begin the fourth and expanded upon their lead 53-44 with 7:07 on the clock. Malone Head Coach Selana Ickes used a timeout to try to halt the momentum, but it would be ineffective. Northwood maintained their torrid pace and cruised to a 73-54 victory with a 27-10 fourth quarter difference.
 
The bench unit for the Pioneers had 32 of the 54 points, led by Randulic and Miller with 10 each. Randulic and Bruce were each 2-of-3 from downtown in the loss. Kaufman secured a team-high 11 rebounds.
 
Malone returns home to face the University of Findlay on Saturday, January 10 at 1:00 P.M.