CANTON, Ohio - The Malone University women's basketball team defeated the Lake Erie College Storm on senior day, 60-45. The Pioneers now sit at 21-5 on the season while the Storm drops to 5-19. In the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), Malone improves to 14-4 and Lake Erie falls to 4-14.
 
In the first quarter, the Pioneers took control as they had a 12-3 lead at 4:03 from a jumper by Bridget Barber. The Storm tried to cut the Pioneers lead, but Anna Krupa answered back with a three to give Malone an 18-11 lead going into the second. The Pioneers were off to a good start as they went 53% (7-for-13) from the field, and 60% (3-for-5) from beyond the arc.
 
The second quarter was no different as Malone remained on the offensive. Aila Miller gave the Pioneers a 27-19 lead with a layup in the paint with 4:26 left in the half. As the second quarter came to a close, Krupa found herself on a fastbreak layup with 21 seconds left to give the Pioneers a comfortable 31-21 lead at halftime. Malone finished the first half with a 75% (3-for-4) from the free throw line.
 
In the third quarter, the Pioneers took full control of the game as they had a 50-26 lead over Lake Erie with a layup by Katie Kaufman with 2:52 to go. The Pioneers continued to dominate in free throws as they finished the third period with an 87.5% (7-for-8) from the line. Malone also went 7-for-14 from the field during the third quarter.
 
The Pioneers continued to control the game in the fourth quarter as they had a 59-41 lead from a layup by Nataley Armstrong with 2:31 left in the game. The Storm struggled against Malone's defense as they had a 33% (5-for-15) from the field. The Pioneers came out of the game with an impressive 60-45 win in the matchup.
 
Erin Kaufman (13 points) and Krupa (14 points) were key players in the offense today as they combined for 27 points on the day. Erin Kaufman, Katie Kaufman, and Irene Maroto all finished the game with six rebounds each combining for 18 total rebounds.
 
The group of seniors included manager Zoe Weir, Kaufman, Krupa, Brinn Hunt, Armstrong and Miller that were honored pre-game.
 
The Pioneers will look to defend Osborne Hall one last time in the regular season as they take on the Ohio Dominican University Panthers for another Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) matchup. Tip-off is at 5:30 P.M.