The Malone University women's basketball team, led by fourth-year head coach Jason Mishler, opened up its 2014-15 campaign on Friday night by registering a 75-65 non-conference road victory over the University of Southern Indiana.

The Screaming Eagles, listed among those receiving votes in the NCAA Division II Preseason National Poll, jumped out to 23-9 lead in the early going.  Despite the deficit, Malone came roaring back, using some stingy defense play to outscore USI 26-3 over the final 10 minutes of the period and take a 37-28 lead into the locker room at intermission.

Southern Indiana was held without a field goal during the stretch as its three points came on trips to the foul line.  Sophomore guard Rachel Goddard, playing in her first game for Malone since transferring from Miami University, helped fuel the Pioneers' big run as she scored 13 of her total 17 points over the first 20 minutes.

A pair of free throws by freshman guard Kristen Massey increased the Malone lead to 15 points at 46-31 early in the second half.  The Screaming Eagles answered with an 8-0 run to trim the deficit to 46-39, but that was as close as the hosts would get.

Senior guard Logan Pastor posted a double-double to lead the way for Malone as she finished with a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds.  Pastor connected on seven of nine shots from the field, including three of four treys. 

Goddard hit three of her six three-pointers en route to the 17-point performance.  Massey tossed in 11 points during her first collegiate game while guard Selana Reale added 10 points and four assists.  Senior Lindsy Snyder added nine rebounds to move into ninth place on Malone's all-time rebounding list.  Snyder now has 605 career rebounds, 30 behind No. 8 Traci Warner.

Forward Anna Hackett paced Southern Indiana by tallying 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Malone will be back in action on Saturday with a 1:00 p.m. contest at Indiana University-Southeast, an NAIA institution located in New Albany, Indiana.