Ohio Independent Championships Website  |  Men's Bracket (pdf)  |  Women's Bracket (pdf)

The Malone University men's and women's basketball teams will each begin postseason play on Tuesday evening by competing in the opening round of the Ohio Independent Championships.  The Pioneer women will travel to Central State University for a 5:30 p.m. game while the Malone men will host Urbana University in a 7:30 p.m. contest.

The Ohio Independent Championships are postseason playoffs for schools from around the Buckeye State who are currently in the transition process to become NCAA Division II members OR are current NCAA Division II members unaffiliated with a conference.  In addition to Malone, participating schools in the men's basketball tournament include Cedarville University, Central State University, Notre Dame College, Urbana University and Walsh University. On the women's side, the OIC also includes Ursuline College.

Tournament seeding was determined based on winning percentage in regular-season games against other OIC participants.  Opening-round byes were awarded to the top two teams on the men's side (No. 1 seed Cedarville and No. 2 seed Walsh) and the top squad on the women's side (No. 1 seed Cedarville). 

For the women, Tuesday's opening round contests include:
No. 5 Malone (12-14) at No. 4 Central State (14-11), 5:30 p.m.
No. 7 Ursuline (6-20) at No. 2 Notre Dame (15-11), 6:00 p.m.
No. 6 Walsh (14-16) at No. 3 Urbana (12-14), 7:00 p.m.

On the men's side, first round match-ups feature:
No. 6 Notre Dame (10-16) at No. 3 Central State (18-8), 7:30 p.m.
No. 5 Urbana (8-18) at No. 4 Malone (12-14), 7:30 p.m.

Following the opening-round games on Tuesday, the semifinal and final rounds for both the women's  and men's divisions will be held at Cedarville University.

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Women's Preview

2011-12
Malone and Central State did not meet this season. 

All-Time Series
CSU holds a 6-1 advantage in the all-time series between the two schools...After losing their inaugural contest with the Pioneers, the Marauders have won the last six meetings...CSU posted a 112-65 victory in the most recent match-up, held Feb. 19th, 2003 (at CSU).

Central State Notes: CSU is an independent Division II member located in Wilberforce, Ohio…The Marauders posted an 85-71 victory in their regular-season finale at Ursuline Collge on Thursday…Central State has won four of its last six games overall and boasts a 9-5 record at home in 2011-12.

Malone Notes:  The Pioneers fell 81-63 in their regular-season finale at Cedarville on Saturday…Malone has posted a 6-7 mark in games played away from Osborne Hall this season....The Pioneers' 12 victories thus far this season marks their highest win total since posting an 18-12 mark in 2006-07.

Tickets: $5 general admission; $3 for students (with I.D.)

2011-12 Rosters
Malone  |  Central State

2011-12 Statistics
Malone  |  Central State

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Men's Preview

2011-12
Malone won both of its regular-season meetings with Urbana this year, including an 83-74 home triumph on January 14th and an 89-73 road victory on February 4th.

All-Time Series
The Pioneers hold a 57-21 advantage in the all-time series between the two schools (formerly long-time foes in the American Mideast Conference). 

Urbana Notes: Urbana is an independent Division II member located in Urbana, Ohio (roughly 50 miles west of Columbus)…The Blue Knights knocked off NCAA Division I Chicago State University 59-55 in their regular-season finale on Saturday…Urbana has notched a 3-11 record in 2011-12 road games.

Malone Notes:  Despite falling 78-72 in their final game of the regular season (at Cedarville on Saturday), the Pioneers have won four out of their last six games…Malone has posted an 8-3 mark in games played at Osborne Hall this season.

Tickets: Normal Malone home game ticket policies will apply….$5 for adults; $2 for students (age 13 thru college); $2 for senior citizens; Malone students with student I.D. and children (ages 12 and under) are free

Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/malone/mbball/scoreboard.aspx

2011-12 Rosters
Malone  |  Urbana

2011-12 Statistics
Malone  |  Urbana