Box Score

The Malone University men's basketball team, ranked 18th in the most recent NAIA Division II National Poll, suffered a 90-80 setback on the road Thursday evening in its American Mideast Conference match-up with Point Park (PA) University. The hosts hit eight first-half three-pointers to build a 45-34 advantage at intermission. The Pioneers cut the deficit to five points on three occasions during the second half, the final time coming at 68-63 with a little over six minutes to play. However, Malone was unable to get any closer the rest of the way as Point Park regained control of the contest with an 11-3 scoring run over the next three minutes. PPU improved to 11-6 overall and 5-4 in the AMC with the win while Malone suffered back-to-back conference losses for the first time this season, falling to 15-8 overall and 8-3 in the AMC.

Although Point Park managed to hit just 14 of its 28 (50%) free throws over the course of the evening, the squad made up for it from the field, connecting on 33 of its 64 (51.6%) shots from the floor, including 10 of 26 (38.5%) three-pointers. Malone was unable to keep pace with PPU's offensive accuracy for much of the night as the Pioneers made just 29 of 80 (36.3%) field-goal attempts, six of 35 (17.1%) three-pointers, and 16 of 25 (64%) foul shots.

Guard Eric Coblentz led the way for the Pioneers with 21 points, four assists and four rebounds. Forward Cory Veldhuizen followed with 14 points, 12 boards and three steals. Forward Che Richardson tossed in 11 points while forward Ebiowei Porbeni contributed eight points and 10 rebounds.

Only six players scored for PPU as Point Park's five starters accounted for 82 points, led by forward Kris Douse's 21 points and 18 rebounds. Guard Jimmy Sherwood also posted 21 points to go with eight rebounds. Guard Josh Trocchio hit five treys on his way to 19 points. Trocchio also contributed six rebounds and four assists.

The Pioneers will look to bounce back on Saturday when they travel to North Canton to take on NAIA Division II No. 1 Walsh University in the 47th annual Mayors' Cup Game. The Cavaliers enter the 4:00 p.m. AMC match-up with an unblemished 21-0 overall record, including a 10-0 mark in the AMC. The Pioneers gave Walsh one of its closest contests of the year earlier this month as the Cavaliers held on for an 80-77 triumph at Osborne Hall on January 6th. A live audio broadcast of Saturday's rematch will be available on the Malone Sports Network (on the radio at WNPQ 95.9 FM and streaming on the internet at www.thelight959.com). In addition, a tape-delayed broadcast of the contest will be televised at 10:00 p.m. Saturday on SportsTime Ohio.