Buzzer-Beating Basket Lifts Malone Past FSU In Women's Basketball Play

Big Rapids, Mich. - A last second shot from Malone's Rachel Goddard as time expired gave the host Pioneers a 58-56 win over the Ferris State University women's basketball squad on Thursday (Jan. 7) night at Osborne Hall in Canton, Ohio.

The shot from Goddard as the horn sounded capped a comeback for Malone, which trailed FSU by 18 points with 6:18 to play in the third quarter. Ferris State had won three of its last four Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) league encounters prior to the setback.

The Pioneers opened up a 17-15 lead after the opening quarter of action, but the Bulldogs outscored Malone 14-2 in the second period to take a 29-19 halftime lead in only their second-ever visit to Canton.

Ferris State jumped the margin up to as many as 18 points in the third quarter before Malone rallied. The lead was at 10 points heading into the final frame when Malone outscored FSU 22-10 to notch the win.

The Pioneers grabbed their first lead of the second half with only 1:18 to go in the game, but the Bulldogs tied it up on a basket from freshman guard Margo Brown on the baseline with only 16 seconds to play. Following a timeout, the Pioneers set up the final play for Goddard, who hit a 15-footer from the right side as time expired.

The loss spoiled another outstanding performance from FSU forward Alexis Huntey, who tallied a game-high 23 points and 16 rebounds in another double-double showing. Sophomore center Rachel McInerney also recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards.

Ferris State, though, was offset by 23 turnovers, which led to a 15-6 margin in points off miscues for the Pioneers. Malone finished with only nine turnovers of its own.

Goddard paced the Pioneers with 18 points while Tara Schaffter added 12 points and Chrissie Vaughan chipped in 10 points.

Malone connected on five three's in the second half to pull back late and ended up shooting eight-of-29 (30%) from three-point range along with 31.7% from the floor and 10-of-16 (63%) at the line.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs sank 39.2% of their field goals and were five-of-16 (31.3%) from three-point range along with 11-of-13 (85%) at the line.

Overall, Ferris State finished with 10 assists to go with three steals and three blocked shots in comparison to Malone's 14 assists, 10 steals and two blocks. The Pioneers improved to 5-7 overall and 2-5 in the GLIAC with the triumph.

Ferris State will wrap up its two-game trip to Ohio against Walsh on Saturday (Jan. 9). Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. (ET) in North Canton, Ohio. The game will represent FSU's final contest against the GLIAC South Division before starting North Division play back at home next week.