The Malone University women's basketball team opened its 2013-14 season at home on Friday evening in Osborne Hall and posted a convincing 79-61 non-conference victory over visiting Maryville University-St. Louis (MO).

The Pioneers opened up a 38-29 halftime lead and never looked back as they stretched the lead to as many as 24 points in the second half, at 74-50 with 4:14 remaining, before settling in for the 18-point win.

While Malone now stands at 1-0 overall, Maryville dropped to 2-1 overall on the season.

A balanced scoring attack by Malone saw five players hit twin figures as guard Sydnee Penn led the way with a team-high 18 point on 7-of-12 shooting from the floor (including three of five from long range).  Penn also yanked down a team-best eight rebounds and also added three assists and two steals.

Guards Selana Reale and Leslie Raifsnider tossed in 14 points each as Raifsnider tallied six rebounds and a team-best three steals while Reale posted four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Guard Brooke Zwayer recorded a dozen points, including a 5-for-5 effort from the free throw line, while guard Deborah Simmers also hit double digits with 10 points while adding four rebounds and a pair of steals.

The Saints were paced by guard Shelby Miller, who had 19 points, and center Rita Flynn who contributed 10 points.  Forward Erica Lorton led the team in rebounds with eight.

Malone tossed in 24 of 59 attempts from the floor overall for 40.7% and a near equal 39.1% from three-point range, with nine of 23 attempts connecting.  The Pioneers bettered the Saints in both those categories as Maryville was 24 of 69 overall for 34.8% and only four of 24 from beyond the arc for 16.7%.

Although the Saints held a slight advantage at the free throw line, 75.0% to 73.3%, it was Malone who went to the stripe much more often, sinking 22 of 30 attempts, while Maryville converted nine of 12.  The rebounding advantage went to Malone by a 47-35 count.

Malone will be back in action next Wednesday (November 20th) as the squad hosts Cincinnati Christian University in a 1:45 p.m. contest that will be held at Quickens Loans Arena in Cleveland.  Live stats will be available for this contest.   In order to enter the Q for the Malone game, you must already have purchased a ticket for the Cavaliers game for that night (vs. the Washington Wizards).  If you have not yet purchased a ticket and wish to attend, tickets may still be available for purchase (if not sold out) by contacting Malone assistant coach Rick Tice at rtice@malone.edu.