Central Ohio Today

The Malone University women's basketball team traveled to Cedarville University on Saturday afternoon for the start of another Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) road stretch. 

The Pioneers scored first and traded baskets early before they took the lead in the first quarter.

While the Pioneers held the lead for the rest of the game, Cedarville made several comeback attempts into the second half.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Final Score: Malone University 78 – Cedarville University 72
• Records: Malone (15-6, 9-4 G-MAC) | Cedarville (6-12, 4-8 G-MAC)
• Location: Cedarville, Ohio | Callan Athletic Center

THE GAME

Malone won the tip-off, but both teams failed to score on the first two possessions. Erin Kaufman started the scoring at the 8:09 mark with a layup.

The Yellow Jackets and Pioneers traded baskets for the next couple of possessions.

It was Kaufman again with a layup that put Malone up on the scoreboard. The Pioneers would not trail for the remainder of the game.

The Pioneers extended their lead in the first quarter. The offensive run included three-point baskets by Kyli Horn (2), Brinn Hunt, and Brooklyn Troyer.

By the end of the first period the Pioneers had a 24-10 lead. 

Troyer opened the second quarter with another three-pointer. The quarter not only featured the teams going back and forth on the court, but also a majority of the trips were successful for both teams.

However, Malone retained their double-digit lead.

The closest Cedarville got was within 11 on a three-pointer, but Kyli Horn sank her fourth three pointer in response.

Malone was able to take a thirteen point lead into the halftime locker room. Horn led all scorers at the break with her 14 points and going 4-5 from beyond the arc. Hutchison had 5 rebounds by the halfway mark. 

Cedarville came out of the locker room with some offense as they cut the Pioneer lead to 49-44 with a seven-point run halfway through the third quarter.

However, the Pioneers responded with nine unanswered of their own with Horn sinking another three-pointer and Hutchison adding six points.

Kaufman closed out the third quarter with another shot from the paint to bring the lead back up to 12.

The beginning of the fourth quarter was seven Cedarville points to bring the lead within single digits again.

The Pioneers failed to extend the lead back into the double-digits, but Hutchison responded to Cedarville closing the gap to 3 points with a shot from the paint to spark a small Malone run as Kaufman added three more points. 

The last five minutes of the game featured the teams going back and forth yet again.

The Yellow Jackets got the score within two points but Brooklyn Troyer hit another three-pointer. 

The Pioneers started another road trip with a win. They improve to 7-3 on the road this season, 15-6 overall, and 9-4 in G-MAC play. 

THE DETAILS

• Alexis Hutchison earned another double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. 16 of her points came in the second half effort to keep the Yellow Jackets at bay. She also had 4 assists and 3 steals on the afternoon.
• Kyli Horn also had 18 points as she went 5-6 from beyond the arc. She also had 3 steals in the game.
• Erin Kaufman had 14 points on the afternoon and Brooklyn Troyer had 11 as she went 3-5 from three-point range. Emma Kallas had 10 points and four assists.
• As a team, the Pioneers scored 22 points off the 17 Cedarville turnovers and outscored the Yellow Jackets 38-26 from the paint.
• Troyer and Horn led the way for the Pioneers to have their highest shooting percentage from three-point range (60%). And Malone went 28-57 from the field.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Pioneers continue this new road stretch next Thursday as they head north to Pepper Pike, Ohio. Tip off between Ursuline and Malone is set for 5:30 p.m.

Original source can be found here