Malone University Athletics

CLARION, Pa. - The Malone University women's basketball team defeated the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown 69-64 in an overtime thriller. The Pioneers improve to 2-0 on the year while the Mountain Cats fall to 1-1.
 
In the first quarter, Johnstown brought the pressure early with a 9-2 lead at 7:51. Elena Oliver and Kylee Bruce cut Malone's deficit to three points until the Mountain Cats took a 13-7 lead with 5:19 on the clock. With less than one minute remaining in the first, Finley Weaver made a layup to give the Pioneers a 13-12 lead. Unfortunately, the lead did not last long as Pittsburgh Johnstown finished the period with a 15-14 advantage. 
 
Both teams continued to keep the score close throughout the second period. Abbey Price made two free throws at 7:29 to give the Pioneers its biggest lead of the quarter at 21-17. The Mountain Cats answered back with a 25-22 lead going into halftime. 
 
In the third period, the teams kept the score close. Johnstown took a 38-33 lead with 3:05 left until Irene Maroto converted a layup in the paint followed by a clean three by Meredith Randulic at 1:25 to tie the game 38-38. The Mountain Cats managed to take a 40-38 lead with one minute left in the third quarter.
 
The fourth period started hot as both teams battled it out early. Bruce, Oliver, and Price kept the pressure going for the Pioneers to only trail 45-42 with 7:40 on the clock. Johnstown answered back with a 51-45 lead going into the last four minutes of the game. Oliver and Maroto combined for four unanswered points to cut the Pioneer's deficit 52-51 with one minute left. On the final possession, Oliver netted the game-tying layup to send the Pioneers into overtime, 55-55.
 
In overtime, Malone quickly took the lead with shots from Oliver and a steal from Bridget Barber to make the score 59-55 at 4:04. As the Mountain Cats closed the gap, Bruce connected on a three to give the Pioneers a 64-59 lead with 1:09 remaining. A pair of Randulic free throws made it 66-59 with 50 seconds left. In the final seconds, Price sealed Malone's victory with a layup at the buzzer, 69-64.
 
Oliver was the point leader for Malone in tonight's thriller with 23 points, followed by Bruce (12), Barber (11) and Price (10). Oliver recorded 11 rebounds, giving her a double-double in tonight's performance. Price and Maroto were key players for the Pioneers' defense as they both recorded three steals each. 
 
The Malone University women's basketball team will continue their Pennsylvania series as they take on Clarion University on Sunday, November 15. Tip-off is at 5:00 P.M.