Box Score

With a 71-65 home victory over GLIAC opponent University of Findlay on Saturday, the Malone University women's basketball team picked up its first-ever win against the Oilers, snapping a 19-0 series advantage that Findlay had held over the Pioneers. 

With the win, Malone improved to 14-6 overall (9-5 GLIAC), which matches the squad's win total from last season, with eight regular-season games remaining.  Findlay fell to 9-9 overall and to 6-8 in the GLIAC.

A hot start by Malone had the Pioneers leading at the intermission 34-20.  Rebounds played a major part in the lead in the first half of this afternoon's game as Malone out rebounded Findlay 27-22 in the opening stanza.  Eight of the Pioneers' rebounds were offensive which allowed them to score 11 second- chance points during the half.  Guard Sydnee Penn played a vital role in that first-half lead as she hit four of eight shots for 12 first-period points.

An aggressive beginning to the second half gave the Oilers a much needed spark to get back in the game. Findlay sliced the lead in half, down to seven points (38-31) at the 11:22 mark. However, the Pioneers fought back with strong defensive play, never surrendering the lead to the Oilers. A strong effort by Ciara Geiger, hitting four of six three pointers in the second half alone, forced Malone to make key free throws down the stretch to secure the victory. Geiger hit a three with 20 seconds left shortening the margin to only 68-65. Guard Selana Reale was fouled quickly and knocked down both free throws which ultimately sealed the game in the Pioneers' six-point, 71-65 win.

Penn finished off the contest with 17 points along with four steals, leading all Pioneers in both categories. Reale had a great outing, nearly posting a triple-double, with 12 points to go along with a game-high (tied) eight rebounds and game-best eight assists. Forward Lindsy Snyder joined Reale with a game-high eight boards while scoring nine points. Guard Lauren Myers played well off the bench scoring nine points of her own while guard Logan Pastor yanked down seven rebounds on the day.

Geiger led the Oilers in scoring, totaling 17 points for the day. Karli Bonar added nine points, all from the outside. Combined, Geiger and Bonar made 7-12 from deep and accounted for all of Findlay's shots from three-point range.

Malone maintained an edge on the boards as the rebound differential proved to be a key factor in the game as the Pioneers out rebounded their opponent 48-38 for the contest. Malone had a respectable day from the field, shooting 40.7% (24-59). The Pioneers' victory could also be attributed to their defensive play as the Oilers were held to 31.7% from the field (19-60). Malone tallied seven of 23 from long range (30.4%) to Findlay's six-of-24 effort (25.0%). Both teams struggled somewhat from the free throw line as Malone made 17 of 27 (63%) and Findlay converted 20 of 31 (64.5%).

The Pioneers will be back in action on the road on Monday at 5:30 p.m. when they take on cross-town rival Walsh University (6-13 overall, 2-11 GLIAC).  Fans can listen to live audio during the game on the Malone Sports Network (streaming on www.espn990.com).  Live stats for the game will be provided at http://livestats.prestosports.com/walsh.  Live video will also be provided at http://www.teamline.cc/teampage?teamcode=4472.