(CANTON, Ohio) – There were many reasons to celebrate as Walsh defeated Malone 64-51 in the 20th annual Mayors Cup at Osborne Hall on Thursday. Naturally a victory over your rivals is something to be happy about. Retiring the Mayors' Cup and clinching a home game in the upcoming GLIAC tournament makes it even better.

As most rivalry games go, it wasn't easy for the Cavaliers (19-8, 16-6). The Pioneers' (9-18, 6-16) defense put the pressure on Walsh's leading scorer Kelsey Funderburgh (Sr., North Lewisburg, Ohio/Triad) and limited her to just five shots and no points, a career first. However the senior did an impressive job commanding the rest of the floor and setting up other players with most of the Malone pressure focused on her.

Two of those players were Brooklyn Wooten (Jr., Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing) and Holly Grober (So., Hermitage, Pa./Hickory). Wooten scored a season-high 23 points and was 7-of-13. Grober was 7-of-10 from the field and added 14 points and eight rebounds.

While Malone stayed close for most of the game, the Cavs eventually pulled away midway through the fourth quarter as back-to-back baskets by Grober capped an 8-0 run and gave Walsh a 57-45 lead with 3:25 to go in the game.

Jalynn Graham (Jr., Columbus, Ohio/Central Crossing) also scored in double-figures with 10 points for the Cavaliers. Brittni Clopton (So., Fort Wayne, Ind./South Side) and Grober finished with nine and eight rebounds, respectively to lead the game.

The Cavs now lead the Mayors' Cup series 12-8 and the all-time series with Malone 41-35.

Walsh will now host Ohio Dominican in the GLIAC tournament on Tuesday. It will be the first home playoff game for the Cavaliers since the 2010-11. Tip-off with the Panthers is set for 7 p.m.