CANTON, Ohio - The Malone University women's basketball team fell short in a thriller against the Northwood University Timberwolves, 52-46. The Pioneers are now 16-5 on the season while the Timberwolves improve to 17-5. In the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), Malone now sits at 9-4, while Northwood remains in first place with a 13-1 conference record.
 
The Pioneers started the first quarter with a jumper by Erin Kaufman, but did not score again until 49 seconds remaining with another layup Kaufman. The Timberwolves took full control of the first quarter and Malone finished the period trailing 16-4. Northwood finished the opening quarter at 40.0% (6-for-15) and held the Pioneers to just 2-of-12 (16.7%) from the field.
 
The Timberwolves continued with pressure to start the second quarter but Meredith Randulic knocked down a pair of threes on back-to-back possessions for Malone to cut the deficit to 20-10 with 7:31 remaining in the period. Malone continued to battle back late in the second quarter, as Anna Krupa made a jumper before converting a free throw to bring the Pioneers to within one possession at 22-21 with 1:14 remaining. The Timberwolves answered back quickly and led 27-21 going into halftime. 
 
The third quarter began with Malone building momentum as Kamryn Ruffin nailed a three off an assist by Elena Oliver. Not long after, the Pioneers found Kaufman for a layup in the paint to cut Northwood's lead to 29-26 with 7:22 on the clock. A Malone three from Bridget Barber to tie the game 35-35 with 2:36 left in the period. Both teams continued to fight it out and at the final whistle of the period, the Pioneers led 40-39. 
 
Malone's offense was held to just six points in the final period as Northwood pulled away. As the final quarter came to a close, the Pioneers continued to trail but Kaufman would cut Malone's deficit to 48-44 with 1:58 remaining in the game. As the game came down to the final seconds, the Timberwolves would end the game on two successful free throws earning them a 52-46 win over the Pioneers. The team was 0-for-10 on three-point tries in the final quarter of play.
 
Malone's key players tonight on the offensive side were Kaufman (14 points) and Randulic (10 points) as they combined for 24 points on the night. The Pioneers finished the game with 47 rebounds with Kaufman (9) leading the team. Malone would also finish the game with at 83.7% (12-for-14) from the free throw line. The defense forced 20 turnovers, but 25 on the offensive end did not lend them any favors.
 
The Pioneers will look to regroup and quickly move on from tonight's loss as they travel to Pepper Pike, Ohio, to take on the Ursuline College Arrows in another Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) matchup. Tip-off is at 2:00 PM.