Canton Reporter

Malone University Athletic Department issued the following announcement on March 1

The 2021-22 season came to an abrupt end for the Malone University Pioneers on Tuesday night.

The Pioneers (18-10) hosted the number five seeded University of Findlay Oilers (19-9) in a quarterfinal matchup as part of the 2022 Great Midwest Men's Basketball Championship Tournament.

The Oilers built up a double-digit lead in the first half, and then held off a huge comeback effort by Malone late in the game to secure the 74-66 win.

Findlay advances to the semifinal round where they will play the No. 1 seed Walsh University in North Canton on Friday evening.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Marcus Ernst scored the first two, of his eventual seventeen points, to open up the scoring.

Findlay answered with the next six points of the game, and the Oilers never trailed again.

It was ultimately a 14-4 run by UF to open the game which allowed them to post their first double-digit lead of the night at the 14:16 mark of the half.

The Pioneers started to make shots on their end of the floor, but the Oilers seemed to always match MU with a score of their own.

At one point in the first half, Findlay's lead stood at 35-21. However, a late push by Malone got the Pioneers back in the game before the halftime break.

Bo Myers connected on his first three-pointer of the game, and Ernst closed out the first-half scoring with a layup to make it a 35-26 game at the half.

The two sides traded baskets coming out of the locker room, but a quick 6-0 run by Findlay had the Oilers on top 52-37 with 13:17 left to play in the game.

The Pioneers continued to fight, particularly on the defensive end of the floor, but it was still tough for Malone's offense to get much going.

Things looked bleak for MU when Findlay led 65-52 with just 4:33 remaining to play, but the Pioneers had one more run left.

After a pair of Bryce Butler free throws, back-to-back three-pointers by Malone sent the Osborne Hall crowd into a frenzy and forced Findlay to call a timeout.

Unfortunately, the comeback came up short as the Oilers closed the game out by connecting on five of their six free throw attempts to pick up their second road win over the Pioneers in the last seven days.

PIONEER POINTS

• Bryce Butler was Malone's leading scorer with 18 points.
• Marcus Ernst closed out his Pioneer career with another double-double, finishing with 17 points and 12 rebounds. 
• Bo Myers finished with 14 points to round out the double-digit scorers for Malone. 
• The Pioneers' defense forced Findlay into 19 turnovers, but the 16-6 advantage in points off of turnovers could not overcome Malone's cold shooting night. MU finished 23-71 from the field.  

To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Malone University athletic programs this year follow the Pioneers on Twitter and Instagram, like Malone University Athletics on Facebook or visit malonepioneers.com

Original source can be found here.