The Malone University women's basketball team lost to rival Walsh University on the road Thursday night by the final score of 86-65 to close out the season.
Walsh would start the 19th annual Mayors' Cup game by drilling a three-pointer at the 19:38 mark to take an early 3-0 lead. However, that would be the only time the Cavaliers held the advantage in the first half as the Pioneers sparked a 9-0 run during the next three minutes to pull ahead 9-3 with 16:19 left. Malone would lead by as much as 14 points throughout the next several minutes.
With three and a half minutes to play in the first, Walsh would go on an 11-0 run which included back-to-back-to-back three-pointers to cut the deficit down to three points at 40-37 with a minute and a half left. Malone's Tara Schaffter made a jump shot with a minute remaining in the opening stanza to increase the Malone lead to 42-37 at intermission.
Malone shot the ball extremely well in the first half, making 53.1% from the field.
Walsh came out with the hot hands in the second half as they propelled to an 18-0 run in the first four minutes to make the score 55-42. This would be the first lead for the Cavs since the 19:38 mark in the first half. Forward Bri Libertore knocked down a jumper at the 15:42 mark to give Malone its first points of the second half. The Cavaliers continued shooting the ball well as they led by as much as 21 points with 12:30 left on the clock. The Pioneers would get within 11 points with 3:37 to go, but Walsh, once again, soared to a 12-2 run to close the game with an 86-65 victory.
Guard Alahna Singleton paced the Pioneers with 15 points and five rebounds, while Rachel Goddard notched 12 points and three assists and Kristen Massey led the team with a season-high 11 rebounds. In addition, Schaffter chipped in 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to record her second career double-double.
Kelsey Funderburgh led Walsh with 19 points and five assists.
Goddard finished the season ranked first on the team in points (332) and assists (52).
The Pioneers conclude their 2014-15 campaign with an 8-18 overall record and a 6-16 mark in the conference.
