Box Score

The Malone University men's basketball team (14-11, 11-10 GLIAC) hung on for an impressive 77-69 victory over the GLIAC South Division leading Findlay Oilers (18-7, 15-6 GLIAC) on senior day at Osbourne Hall Saturday afternoon.

The Pioneers had five players score in double figures with freshman Christian Graves leading the way with 19.

Hot shooting from beyond the arc propelled Malone to an early lead. Freshman Stephen O'Daniel III, who scored 14 points, was the main catalyst, drilling his first two attempts from distance to get the Pioneer offense in rhythm. O'Daniel III and Graves finished the first half with three three-pointers apiece, while junior Vince Kazmierczak added a pair on his way to a 10-point effort. On the other end of the floor, Malone held Findlay to 1 of 8 shooting from downtown in the first half to build a 38-29 lead at halftime.

The Pioneers started the second half the same as the first with O'Daniel III and Graves flexing their muscles from three-point range to open up a 50-38 advantage, the biggest lead they held all game long.

However, the Oilers showed their first-place mettle, refusing to go quietly. An ensuing 14-3 run cut the score to 53-52 with 10:03 to play.

Malone answered the bell, feeding junior Cory Veldhuizen inside for five straight points before another Graves' three-pointer pushed the lead back up to nine.

Findlay would make one final charge at the Pioneers when Aaron Robinson drained a three to pull the Oilers within two points with 57 seconds to go. Veldhuizen, who finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds, bailed Malone out again by draining a 12-foot baseline jumper to extend the lead to four. Malone would dig in defensively and come up with two consecutive stops on the defensive end to seal the win.

Senior Zach Bates, playing in his last regular-season game on Malone's home floor, added 14 points and seven rebounds to join Graves, O'Daniel III, Veldhuizen and Kazmierczak in double figures. Another senior, Kyle Lodermeier, scored a couple critical baskets in a four-point, three-rebound performance.

For the second consecutive game, Malone tied their season-high in three-pointers with 11, finishing 11 of 25 (44.0%) from three. They also finished 27 of 55 (49.1%) on field goals and 12 of 16 (75%) from the charity stripe. The Oilers were 21 of 58 (36.2%) from the field, 6 of 20 (30.0%) from three and 21 of 23 (91.3%) from the foul line.

Malone will wrap up its regular season next Saturday, Mar. 2nd, with the 49th annual Mayors' Cup at rival Walsh University (16-8 overall, 12-8 GLIAC) at 1:00 p.m. A win will qualify the Pioneers for the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) East Region Tournament.  The Malone Sports Network will provide live streaming audio during the game at www.malonepioneers.com/showcase.  Live stats will also be provided at http://livestats.prestosports.com/walsh/