Box Score

The Malone University men's basketball team opened up the 2014 portion of its schedule on Thursday night with a 91-77 victory at Saginaw Valley State (MI) University.  The Pioneers held a slim 42-41 advantage at halftime before securing the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference triumph by outscoring the Cardinals 49-36 over the final 20 minutes.

Forward Cory Veldhuizen led the way for Malone, racking up 15 of his career-high 28 points in the final stanza.  Veldhuizen converted on 11 of 21 shots from the field over the course of the evening, including two of three attempts from beyond the arc.  In addition, the senior went four of five at the free-throw line and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.

Guards Isiah Elliott and Christian Graves also had big nights for the visitors.  Elliott netted 24 points, 18 of which came in the second half.  The senior drained nine of 10 foul shots and seven of 15 attempts from the floor to go with three steals and two assists.  Graves, meanwhile, sank six of eight three-pointers on his way to 20 points.

Also reaching double figures was forward Daniel Wise, who contributed 12 points off the bench.

After a tightly-contested first half, Malone (5-4 overall, 3-2 GLIAC) opened the second period on a 13-6 run to grab a 55-47 lead.  Saginaw Valley State (5-4 overall, 1-4 GLIAC) quickly answered, using an 11-2 surge of its own to pull ahead 60-59.  The score was then tied 66-66 moments later before seven unanswered points (a three-pointer and two lay-ups) by Veldhuizen pushed the Pioneers in front 73-66 with just under six minutes remaining.

The Cardinals would trim the deficit to 74-70 before Malone went on a 9-1 run over the next three and half minutes to put the game out of reach.

Overall, the Pioneers connected on 31 of 63 (49.2%) shots from the floor, including 10 of 20 three-pointers.  SVSU countered by hitting 34 of 61 (55.7%) field goals and seven of 17 (41.2%) treys.

The big difference came at the foul line. Malone drained 19 of 21 (90.5%) free throws while Saginaw Valley State managed to convert on just two of nine attempts from the charity stripe (22.2%).

In addition, the Pioneers enjoyed a 38-30 edge on the boards and held a 22-7 advantage in points off turnovers.

Garrett Hall scored 23 points to pace SVSU while Calvin Tumage added 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Malone will be back in action on Saturday afternoon with a 3:00 p.m. contest at Wayne State (MI University (5-3 overall, 3-2 GLIAC).  The Warriors will provide live video, audio, and statistics during the game.  Click here for links to each: http://www.malonepioneers.com/sports/2010/8/9/GEN_0809102242.aspx?id=13