Box Score

The Malone University men's basketball team put forth one of its best offensive performances of the season during a 95-81 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win at Ashland University on Saturday afternoon. 

The Pioneers' (7-7 overall, 5-5 GLIAC) 56.9 field-goal percentage (29 of 51), 58.8 three-point percentage (10 of 17) and 27 made free throws all marked season highs.  The host Eagles (6-8 overall, 3-7 GLIAC) managed to surpass Malone's accuracy from the floor, connecting on 31 of 51 (60.8%) shot attempts.  However, Ashland made four fewer treys (six of 17) and converted on just 62% (13 of 21) of its foul shots.

Sophomore guard Christian Graves led the charge for Malone, pouring in a career-high 28 points by sinking five of six free throws and nine of 12 field goals, including five of six attempts from beyond the arc.  Isiah Elliott also had a very efficient afternoon.  The senior guard racked up 25 points after draining eight of 11 shots from the floor and eight of nine free throws.

Forward Cory Veldhuizen posted 14 points while forward Daniel Wise provided a big lift off the bench with 10 points and seven rebounds.

Forward Will Evans and guard Brook Turson paced the Eagles, each registering 17 points and five assists.

After falling behind 13-4 in the early going, Ashland fought back to take the lead, pulling in front by as many as six at 39-33 before Malone closed the first half on a 10-0 run to take a 43-39 advantage into the locker room at intermission.  A pair of Graves' three-pointers helped spur the turnaround for the Pioneers.

The visitors then appeared to be running away with the game at the start of the second period, outscoring the Eagles 20-5 over the first seven minutes of the stanza to grab a 63-44 edge.  Ashland refused to go quietly, though, rattling off 15 unanswered points moments later to cut the deficit to 65-61 with nine minutes to play.

Another three-pointer by Graves and a pair of free throws by Wise ended the Pioneer drought and extended the Malone advantage back to nine points at 70-61.  The Eagles then made one last run, trimming the Pioneer lead to 72-68 on two foul shots with 6:25 showing on the clock.  However, Ashland was unable to get any closer the rest of the way.  The hosts would remain within striking distance over the next few minutes before Malone used its pinpoint free-throw shooting to put the contest out of reach. 

Malone will return to action at home on Thursday with an 8:00 p.m. contest against Tiffin University.  Live streaming video and statistics will be provided during the contest.  Click here for links to each.