CANTON, Ohio – Morgan Brunner scored a game-high 30 points and the West Liberty University women never trailed in downing Malone, 82-76, Friday afternoon at Osborne Hall.
    Brunner – who led the nation in 3-point field goals a year ago – knocked down a season-high seven 3-point bombs and played a key role down the stretch as the Hilltoppers (6-6) snapped a 5-game winning streak by the Pioneers (7-4).
    West Liberty opened the game on an 8-1 run and led by as many as 15 points in the first half but Malone cut it down to 38-31 by intermission and slowly chipped away at the deficit when play resumed.
    The Pioneers finally pulled into a 68-68 deadlock – the only tie of the day – when Ellen Doyle muscled her way to the hoop for a layup with 3:30 left in the game but it proved short-lived as Brunner drained a long 3-pointer just 10 seconds later, putting the visitors back on top to stay.
    Malone got two free throws from Robin Campbell to pull within a point, 71-70, with 2:36 to go but back-to-back 3-pointers from Corinne Thomas and Brunner put the game on ice, 77-70, heading into the final minute.
    Brunner didn't lack for offensive support from a West Liberty team that shot better than 50 percent (26-of-50, .520) from the floor for the first time this season.
    Starters Taylor Johnson and Olivia Belknap tossed in 14 and 11 points, respectively, while Grace Fodor came off the bench with 13 big points and Thomas, a true freshman, added a dozen.
    Doyle led the way for the hosts with 22 points and 9 rebounds while Holly Groff tallied 11 of her 17 points after halftime to fuel the Malone rally.
    After heading home for Christmas break, the Lady Hilltoppers won't hit the court again until Jan. 8 when they open second semester play at Concord. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. in Athens.