On Saturday, the Malone University men's basketball team ended their two week layoff from scheduled games by hosting the University of Findlay Oilers in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) opener for the Pioneers.
Malone overcame an eight-point deficit late in the second-half to pick up the 80-77 win over the Oilers.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Final Score: Malone University Pioneers 80 - University of Findlay Oilers 77
- Records: Malone (4-1, 1-0 G-MAC) | Findlay (4-3, 1-1 G-MAC)
- Location: Canton, Ohio | Osborne Hall
It was a bit of a slow start for the Pioneers, who last played a game back on November 19. Just over five minutes into the contest Findlay had built up a 13-6 lead.
A quick 6-0 run by Malone, capped off by a layup from Levi Seiler, trimmed the Oiler lead down to just one point.
A couple of possessions later, the first of what would be four, three-pointers from Simon Blair put the Pioneers on top for the first time all afternoon.
The back-and-forth first half saw Malone's lead grow to as many as five points. However, when Blair beat the halftime buzzer with another triple it sent MU to the break with a 48-42 advantage.
Coming out of the locker room, the Pioneer lead quickly swelled to eight points when Justin Miller scored the opening points of the second-half.
Unfortunately it did not take long for Findlay to completely erase Malone's advantage.
A quick 9-0 run by the visitors gave UF a 52-51 lead with 15:28 left to play in the game.
In a game of runs, it was Findlay's turn to create a bit of a cushion. By the ten minute mark of the second half the Oilers led the game 64-56.
Miller ended a Pioneer scoring drought with a three-pointer, and Blair followed with two more points to bring Malone to within a possession.
Then Bo Myers, who entered play as the G-MAC's leading scorer but had been held scoreless for the first thirty minutes of the game, connected on his first field goal of the day. It was a three-pointer to tie the game at 64-64.
Myers actually scored the next eight points in a row for Malone. His third three-pointer of the game gave the Pioneers a 72-71 lead with just 5:20 left to play.
Findlay responded with two points, but Seiler answered with a layup on the other end to put MU up 74-73. Malone never trailed again.
With the Pioneers ahead 78-77, Miller intercepted a UF inbounds pass and put the game away by making two late free-throws.
Findlay's three-point chance at the buzzer came up short, as Malone held on for the 80-77 win.
DETAILS
- Simon Blair errupted for a career-high 23 points. He was a perfect 4-4 from three-point range, and 8-10 from the field overall.
- Justin Miller matched Blair with 23 points of his own, a season-high. He also led the team with four assists and three steals.
- Bo Myers rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Pioneers with 11.
Malone is right back at home on Thursday night as they host Lake Erie College. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS
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 www.malonepioneers.com.
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