Box Score

The Malone University men's basketball team, ranked 23rd in the most recent NAIA Division II National Poll, dropped an 86-80 decision at NCAA Division III Hope (MI) College on Thursday evening in the championship game of Hope's Russ Devette Holiday Classic. The contest, which featured eight ties and eight lead changes, remained close until late in the second half when the hosts went on a 15-5 scoring run to take a commanding 79-67 lead with a little over two minutes remaining. Several missed free throws by the Flying Dutchmen and three successful Pioneer three-pointers pulled Malone to within five in the final moments. However, the late Pioneer rally was not enough to overcome the sizable deficit as Hope went on to record its fifth straight victory. Malone's overall record dropped to 10-5 with the hard-fought defeat while the Flying Dutchmen improved to 7-4 after capturing the Russ Devette Holiday Classic Title for the sixth straight season.

The Pioneers trailed 28-18 in the early going but then used a 14-0 scoring run to pull in front 32-28 in the latter stages of the first half. Hope went to the locker room holding a 41-39 advantage at intermission. From that point, neither team would lead by more than four points until the hosts took command with their late surge.

Malone held a 38-33 advantage in total rebounds and turned 14 offensive boards into 23 second-chance points. Hope benefited from the Pioneers' miscues, though, coming up with 16 steals and scoring 21 points off 20 Malone turnovers. Both teams shot the ball well over the course of the game. The Flying Dutchmen sank 28 of 59 (47.5%) field goals, seven of 18 (38.9%) three-pointers and 23 of 30 (76.7%) foul shots. The Pioneers countered by draining 30 of 66 (45.5%) attempts from the floor, nine of 25 (36.0%) attempts from beyond the three-point arc and 11 of 14 (78.6%) tries from the charity stripe.

Guard Eric Coblentz and forward Ebiowei Porbeni, the Pioneers' two representatives on the Russ Devette Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team, both netted 13 points in Thursday's contest. In addition to their scoring output, Coblentz also handed out three assists and grabbed two steals while Porbeni added three blocked shots and a game-high 11 rebounds. Guard Kyle Higgins registered 11 points while guard Isiah Elliott recorded 10 points, seven assists and five boards. Playing in his hometown of Holland, Michigan, forward Nick Watts also made solid contributions with 10 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Guard David Krombeen, the tournament's MVP, paced Hope with 21 points, nine steals, six rebounds and four assists.

The Pioneers will be back in action next Thursday (January 6th) as they return to American Mideast Conference play with a 7:30 p.m. home game against local rival Walsh University. The Cavaliers were ranked No. 1 in the most recent NAIA Division II National Poll and are currently undefeated on the season with an overall record of 13-0. An audio broadcast of the action will be available on the radio at WNPQ 95.9 FM and on the internet at www.thelight959.com. Live stats and a live video broadcast will also be provided. Click here for links to each.