(NORTH CANTON, Ohio) – A second half explosion helped Walsh breeze by Malone 86-65 in the 19th annual Mayor's Cup to close out the regular season. The Cavaliers (19-9, 13-9) avenged a loss earlier in the season and now have defeated the Pioneers (8-18, 6-16) in two straight Mayor's Cup games.

Walsh has won the Mayor's Cup in six of the last seven years.

The charge came right at the start of the second half. Down five at the break, the Cavs went on an impressive 31-5 run over the first 7:30 to inundate the Pioneers and take the largest lead of the game at 68-47. Brooklyn Wooten (5-8, So., Grove City, OH/Central Crossing) started the run with a jumper six seconds in and Jalynn Graham (5-5, So., Columbus, OH/Central Crossing) followed with a pair of baskets in the paint.

The Cavs continued scoring and made the first nine baskets of the half. By the time Malone finally ended its drought, Walsh was up 55-44 with 15:42 to go.

Malone was able to cut its deficit back to 11 after a 3-pointer by Alahna Singleton with 3:37 to go, but the Cavs answered with a 3-pointer by Kelsey Funderburgh (5-7, Jr., North Lewisburg, OH/Triad) to ignite a 10-0 run to end the game.

Funderburgh ended the game with a game-high 19 points on 8-of-17 from the field with a trio of 3-pointers. She also spread the ball around with five assists. Brittni Clopton (Fr., 5-11, Ft. Wayne, IN/South Side) recorded the double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Alex Hochstedler (5-9, Fr., Fishers, IN/HS) had a huge game with 16 points on 6-of-9 from the field and also hit three treys off the bench. Graham was the final Cavs player in double figures with 10 markers.

Singleton paced the Pioneers with 15 points.

Walsh now sets its sights on its first GLIAC Tournament appearance. The Cavs will face a familiar foe in divisional rival Wayne State. The two schools split the regular season with each team winning at home.

Wayne State is currently ranked No. 17 nationally and No. 4 in the Midwest Region. The game is scheduled for Wednesday with a 7 p.m. tip-off time in Detroit.