Box Score

The Malone University men's basketball team suffered its second straight one-point road loss with an 89-88 defeat at NCAA Division II Salem International (WV) University on Thursday evening.  After the host Tigers went to the foul line and missed two free throws with 24 seconds remaining in the contest, the Pioneers had two potential go-ahead shot attempts on their final possession.   However, a jumper with approximately six seconds remaining and a three-pointer at the buzzer were both off the mark for Malone, allowing SIU to hang on for the narrow victory.  The Tigers improved to 5-16 with the one-point triumph, giving them four wins in their last six games.  The Pioneers, meanwhile, slipped to 8-12 on the year.

Much like last Saturday's 85-84 overtime defeat at Notre Dame College, Thursday's contest at SIU was a back-and-forth battle that featured numerous ties and lead changes.  A bucket by Malone guard Eric Coblentz gave the visitors an 86-84 advantage with just over four minutes remaining, but this lay-up would turn out to be the Pioneers' final made field-goal attempt of the evening.  The Tigers knotted the game at 86-86 on their next trip down the floor and then pulled ahead on a three-pointer with a little over three minutes to play.  Although the Pioneers managed to trim the deficit to 89-88 on a pair of Cory Veldhuizen free throws with 1:43 showing on the clock, neither team was able to find the bottom of the net the rest of the way.

Malone went to the locker room at halftime in front by a slim 42-41 margin.  An 8-2 Pioneer advantage at the start of the game would prove to be the largest lead for either team until an 8-0 Malone scoring run put the visitors on top 78-71 midway through the second half.  The Pioneers were unable to pull away, though, as Salem International quickly fought back into the game by outscoring Malone 10-2 over the next three minutes.

On the evening, the Tigers knocked down 32 of 61 (52.5%) shots from the field, including 11 of 23 (47.8%) attempts from beyond the three-point arc.  SIU made just 14 of 26 (53.8%) free throws but held a substantial 46-24 edge on the boards, totaling 20 offensive rebounds.  Malone ended the night having made 31 of 63 (49.2%) field goals, eight of 19 (42.1%) treys and 18 of 22 (81.8%) foul shots.

Veldhuizen led the way for the Pioneers with a game-high 22 points.  The sophomore from North Canton drained seven of 12 shots from the floor and all eight of his free throws while also pulling down six boards.  Guard Isiah Elliott added 16 points and six assists.  Despite battling foul trouble, Coblentz added 15 points.  Guard Michael Shull came off the bench to register 11 points.  Forward Che Richardson also made solid contributions with nine points, six rebounds and four assists.

Forwards Juanito Moises and Kenneth McCornell each tossed in 15 points apiece to pace a balanced SIU scoring attack.  Guard Walter Brock posted a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 11 boards.

Malone will be idle over the weekend and will return to action next Thursday (Feb. 2nd) with a 7:30 p.m. home contest against Central State University (12-6 overall entering Jan. 28th game against Kentucky State).  In the January 11th meeting between the two teams earlier this season, the Marauders posted a 78-68 victory on their home court.  Live streaming video and statistics will be provided free of charge for Thursday's re-match.  Click here for links to each.