Malone University Athletics

Selana Ickes (formerly Reale) has been the head women's basketball coach at Malone University since the 2018-19 season. 

The 2024-2025 season was another 20+ win season for Ickes, with the Lady Pioneers finishing 22-8 on the year. The season was highlighted with a program record 13-game win streak and Icke’s 100th career coaching win. The Pioneers were statistically sound, ranking nationally in a plethora of categories. Malone women ranked 30th in the nation in Rebound Margin (6.2), 21st in 3pt made/game (8.0), and 23rd in 3-PT shooting percentage (34.3%). Malone was one of the best defensive teams in the country as they finished the season ranked 34th in the nation in scoring defense allowing 57.0 points per game. 

On February 11, Malone defeated Walsh 70-49 to win the Mayor’s Cup for the second consecutive season. Individually, Erin Kaufman had a standout season, earning Honorable Mention All-American by the WBCA and a D2CCA First Team All-Midwest Region honoree. Kaufman was part of the First Team All-Conference in the G-MAC, leading the league in a number of categories: 1st in scoring (16.0ppg), 2nd in rebounding (8.2rpg), 2nd in FG% (55.1%), and 10th in FT% and steals. Senior Brooklyn Troyer ranked 14th nationally in 3pt FG% (40.5%) and first in the G-MAC. Troyer was a Second Team All-Conference and All-Tournament Team selection. Junior Nataley Armstrong had the highest Assist to TO Ratio in the G-MAC and ranked 17th in the country (2.1).

In the 2023-24 season, the Pioneers finished 17-13, earning a sixth consecutive GMAC Tournament appearance under Ickes. The #7 seed Pioneers upset #2 seed Kentucky Wesleyan on the road in the quarterfinals before eventually falling in the semifinals. Malone was ranked 35th nationally in three-point percentage (33.9%) and 34 th in rebounding margin, outrebounding opponents by 5.3 rebounds per game. The season also highlighted a First-Team All-Conference and All-Tournament Team Selection in Erin Kaufman.

In her fifth season at Malone, Ickes guided the Pioneers to a 21-10 record, despite returning four total players and adding 5 freshmen. The Pioneers ranked nationally and received the program’s first-ever at large bid into the NCAA Division II Tournament. The 21 wins is the most wins since 2016-17, when Ickes was an assistant on the G-MAC Championship team. In addition to the 20+ victories, the 2022-23 campaign also highlighted a program record win streak of nine consecutive road games. Malone was one of the best offensive teams in the country as they ranked seventh nationally in three-point percentage (36.9%) and 16th in field goal percentage (45.1%). Alexis Hutchison received First-Team All-Conference, All-Defensive Selection, and All-Tournament Team. Hutchison ranked 25 th in the nation as an all-time assist leader during the 22-23 season. The season also featured a Freshmen of the Year Award in Erin Kaufman.

In the 2021-22 Season, the Pioneers finished 15-12, a six win improvement from the year before. Malone ranked 6th in the nation in field goal percentage (46.7%). Leading the charge were Robin Campbell and Holly Groff both who garnered Second Team All-Conference Selections.
During the 2020-21 CoVID season, the Pioneers were 9-12, earning Ickes’ third consecutive G-MAC Tournament appearance. Holly Groff was First Team All-Conference, Robin Campbell received Second Team honors. The Lady Pioneers ranked 11th nationally in assist to turnover ratio (1.21) and 21st in the nation in assists per game (16.5). The 2019-20 campaign featured a four win improvement with a 19-11 record and another playoff appearance. The #5 seed Pioneers upset #4 seed Cedarville on the road in the quarterfinals before falling to eventual G-MAC Champion in the semifinals. Holly Groff received First-Team All-Conference Selection.

In Ickes’ first year at Malone University she led them to a 15-14 record. The Pioneers won 10 of their last 13 games before falling in the first round of the G-MAC tournament to the #1 seed. The season was highlighted by Ickes earning the G-MAC Coach of the Year Award, as well as Freshmen of the Year Award for Robin Campbell.

Ickes served as an assistant coach on Rick Tice’s staff at Malone from 2016-18. She helped guide the Pioneers to a Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament Championship and the program’s first-ever berth in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional in 2016-17.

• NCAA Tournament appearance (22-23)
• G-MAC Coach of the Year (18-19)
• 7 G-MAC Tournament appearances (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
• WBCA Honorable Mention All-American
• D2CCA First Team All-Midwest Region
• 10 All-Conference selections (6 First Team)
• 2 G-MAC Freshman of the Year selections (18-19, 22-23)

Prior to Malone University
Ickes spent one season as a graduate assistant for the Tiffin University Dragon women’s basketball team under former Pioneer head coach Jason Mishler. In addition to her collegiate experience, Ickes' coaching resume also includes four years of individual basketball instruction and skill development and one season as the head coach of Green Middle School’s 7th-grade girls team.

Education
Ickes graduated from Malone with a bachelor’s degree in Life Science/Chemistry Education and then went on to earn her master’s degree in Higher Education from Tiffin University. Selana and her husband, Jeremy, reside in Canton with their son Walker.

Playing Career
A four-year member of the Malone women’s basketball team, Ickes was named to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Second Team in 2013-14 after helping lead the Pioneers to a 21-10 record.  Malone advanced to the GLIAC Tournament Championship Game that season after knocking off top-seed Wayne State University in the semifinal round and Reale was voted to the GLIAC All-Tournament Team in recognition of her outstanding play.

Although her senior season was cut short due to injury, Ickes still amassed 829 career points which currently ranks 31st on Malone’s all-time scoring list. She is also tied for 29th on the Pioneers’ all-time rebounding list with 392 career boards and ranks 13th all-time with 281 assists. In addition, Ickes' career average of 3.2 assists per game is sixth-highest in program history.