Box Score

The Malone University men's basketball team avenged an 89-88 loss earlier in the season to Salem International (WV) University by cruising to a 117-73 home victory against the Tigers on Thursday night.  With the victory, the host Pioneers improved to 12-13 on the campaign while the visitors fell to 5-21 on the season.

While matching the Pioneer women's record at 12-13 with their win, the men's squad also followed suit in scoring the game's first 13 points as the Malone women did earlier in the evening against the Tigers.

After that 13-0 lead, the Pioneers methodically pulled away for a 36-point, 69-33 halftime advantage.  At that intermission, Malone was halfway to matching its all-time record for most points scored in a game (138 vs. Dyke College; 1991-92) and guard Eric Coblentz, with six first-half three-point baskets and 25 first-half points, was on his way to breaking the record for most three-pointers in a game (of 10 by Phil Gebhardt vs. Geneva College; 1991-92) and challenging for the all-time Malone mark of 53 points in a game (set by Danny Wingate vs. Wilberforce University; 1995-96).

Although the Pioneers continued to pull away in the second half, the squad took advantage of the opportunity to spread some playing time amongst the team, thus ending the chance of breaking the team's most points in a game record or Coblentz eclipsing the individual three-pointers made or most points in a game records.

The Pioneers twice held their largest lead of the game at 48 points, the second of which came at 111-63 with just 3:31 remaining, before Malone secured its 44-point, 117-73 victory.

Malone knocked down 57.1% (44-77) of its field goal attempts while the Tigers tallied 40.8% (29-71). The Coblentz-led three-point barrage gave the Pioneers a decisive 58.3% (14-24) to 22.7% (5-22) margin from beyond the arc. At the foul line, Malone continued its dominance by sinking 15 of 20 attempts for 75.0% while Salem International hit 10 of 21 for 47.6%. In addition, the Pioneers also chalked up a 46-36 victory on the boards.

Five Pioneers reached double digits in scoring led by the blistering effort of Coblentz who tallied 27 points on nine of 12 shooting from the floor, including six of eight conversions from long range. Coblentz also had five rebounds, four assists and two steals. 

Forward Cory Veldhuizen tossed in 17 points (on eight of 11 shooting from the floor) and added three rebounds while guard Isiah Elliott collected 15 points, seven rebounds and a team-high (tied) six assists. Guard Michael Shull also racked up 15 points, including three three-pointers, to go along with three assists. Forward Zach Bates also hit twin figures with 14 points and also pocketed three rebounds and three assists. Guard Che Richardson posted seven points, five rebounds, and six assists (tied for team high) while guard Craig Knisley also contributed seven points to go along with his three rebounds.

Cedrick Collins paced Salem International with 17 points while Walter Brock followed with 12 points. Juanito Moises led the Tigers in rebounds with seven.

Malone will close out its regular season on Saturday by competing in an away contest at Cedarville University (17-8) in a 4:00 p.m. contest. The game will be broadcast on WNPQ 95.9 FM and will also have live audio at www.thelight959.com.   Live stats and live video will also be available.

Ohio Independent Championships postseason :  Malone will compete in the six-team OIC postseason tournament that has first-round contests set for Tuesday, February 28th.  The top two seeds will receive first-round byes and the top overall seed will also be the site of the semifinals and finals on Friday, March 2nd and Saturday, March 3rd. While the official seedings and pairings are yet to be determined for the first round on Feb. 28th, #3 will host #6 and #4 will host #5. Malone is assured of a fourth seed or higher. A win at Cedarville on Saturday in its final regular-season contest could possibly give Malone a seed as high as #2, depending on the outcome of another game. With a loss at Cedarville, Malone and Central State would be tied for the #3 seed and a coin flip would decide who is #3 and who is #4.  In that coin flip scenario, both teams are assured of hosting a first-round game but the flip would determine who they would play. Official seedings and pairings, with game times, will be announced on Monday.