The Malone University women's basketball team lost its final home game of the 2014-15 season to the University of Findlay on Saturday afternoon's "senior day" in Osborne Hall by the score of 78-70.

Guard Rachel Goddard drilled a three-pointer at the 19:24 mark to get Malone on the board for an early 3-2 lead. Findlay's 5-0 run over the next four minutes, though, would give the Oilers a 19-10 advantage with 13:55 on the clock. However, the Pioneers responded by going on a 9-0 run of their own which included back-to-back three-pointers by forward Tara Schaffter and a three-pointer from guard Alahna Singleton which tied the game at 19-all at the 12-minute mark.

After falling behind by a few points again, Malone would tie the game up once more at the 6:40 mark when Goddard knocked down a three-pointer, making the score 25-25. During the next three minutes, Findlay would post a 10-0 run extending its lead 35-25 with three minutes left in the first half. Malone closed out the first half tossing in five points in the final minute although the visitors would lead at the intermission 40-33.

A three-pointer by Goddard in the second half lifted Malone to within three points, at 45-42, at the 17:40 mark. The Oilers would go on an 11-6 run midway through the second half to push its lead to 63-54 with 8:08 remaining.  From there, a three-pointer by forward Sarah Bardall would spark Malone to a 10-2 run to get within one point at 65-64 with 5:20 on the clock. A minute later, Emily Molnar of Findlay connected on a jumper to make it a three-point game at 67-64.

It would remain a back-and-forth battle between the two squads during the final four minutes as Leslie Raifsnider drilled a pair of key free throws for Malone to get the Pioneers to within one point, at 67-66, with 3:41 on the clock. Findlay would then knock down a pair of free throws of their own to hold a 70-66 advantage with 2:27 left. Goddard continued her hot shooting from the three-point line as she drilled yet another to get the Pioneers to a within three points at 70-67 with 1:36 remaining. Findlay would outscore Malone 8-3, though, in the final minute to seal the 78-70 victory.

Goddard paced the Pioneers with 17 points and six assists, while Singleton notched 16 points. Both Goddard and Singleton went 4-for-7 at the three-point line. In addition, Schaffter chipped in 13 points and five rebounds while going 3-for-4 at the three point line.  

Ciara Geiger led the Oilers with 20 points and seven rebounds while shooting 7-for-12 from the field.

With its 15 made three-pointers in today's game, the tally tied for second most in a game in Pioneer women's basketball history.

The Pioneers will finish their season on the road when they play rivals Walsh University on Thursday, February 26 at 5:30 p.m.