Box Score
The Malone men's basketball team, ranked #23 in the NAIA Div. II national poll, posted a solid 74-65 victory over Madonna (MI) University in game one of the Russ DeVette Holiday Classic hosted by NCAA Div. III Hope (MI) College on Wednesday night. The victory boosted Malone's record to 10-4 overall on the season while Madonna's record slipped to 4-11. The Pioneer victory sets up a Malone vs. Hope championship contest on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. after the hosts defeated Marygrove (MI) College 91-68 in Wednesday night's second game.
With the exception of the first few minutes of the contest, Malone held the lead throughout the game, albeit by only slim margins, until the final few minutes saw the Pioneers pull away for the nine-point win. Malone took the lead for good after a 27-all tie and held a 36-32 halftime lead. Then, holding just a 58-55 advantage with just over five minutes remaining in the game, the Pioneers outscored the Crusaders 16-10 down the stretch for the 74-65 win.
Malone shot 45.9% (28-61) from the floor on the night while Madonna sank 38.8% (26-67) of its field goal attempts. The Pioneers managed five three-point conversions in 24 attempts (20.8%) while the Crusaders fared a bit better beyond the arc at 31.3% (5-16). At the foul line, Malone drilled 13 of 16 attempts for 81.3% while Madonna hit eight of 12 for 66.7%. The Crusaders held a slight edge on the boards at 40-38.
Junior guard
Eric Coblentz led three Pioneers in double-digit scoring as he poured in 19 points, including four three-point baskets, while also pocketing four steals. Freshman point guard
Isiah Elliott had a big game as well with 16 points and five rebounds to go along with four assists and a team-high five steals. Senior forward
Ebiowei Porbeni tossed in 10 points, pulled down six rebounds and collected three blocks. Freshman forward
Cory Veldhuizen, who had six points and a team-high five assists, paced the team on the glass with nine rebounds, while senior forward
Nick Watts had eight points.
Senior forward
Jock Rottman, who had nine points on the night including a two-for-two performance at the free throw line, extended his impressive consecutive free throws made streak to 42, just three short of the Malone record of 45 set by Mike Lillo (1984-85). For the season, Rottman has made an incredible 43 of 44 free throw attempts for 97.7%, which leads the NAIA Div. II nationally.
Madonna was led in scoring by Travis Schuba, who had 16 points, while Ryan Waidmann and Josh Gay paced the team in rebounds with seven apiece.
Malone will take on Hope (6-4) in Thursday night's tournament championship game at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard locally on WNPQ 95.9 FM radio with a live audio stream also available at
www.thelight959.com. In addition,
live stats will be available.
