Box Score

The Malone University men's basketball team earned an 86-75 home victory over Ferris State University (MI) on Thursday night as the Pioneers made the most of their trips to the free throw line to pocket the GLIAC win.

In a contest that was very even in most major stat categories, Malone (6-5, 4-3 GLIAC) earned 25 attempts at the line and converted 21, for 84.0%, while the Bulldogs (6-5, 5-2 GLIAC) sank just seven of 18 for 38.9%.  That proved to be the key factor in the game as FSU edged the Pioneers in field goal percentage, 49.2% (30-61) to 45.3% (29-64), in three-point percentage, 40.0% (8-20) to 31.8% (7-22), and in rebounds, 39 to 34, while Malone held the upper hand in steals (9-3) and in turnovers, committing only nine to FSU's 15.

For the first 12 minutes of the first half, the Bulldogs were in control, leading that entire stretch and by their largest margin of 25-18 with 8:24 left in the period.  But for the remainder of the half, the Pioneers went on a 19-5 tear that produced a seven-point, 37-30 lead for Malone at the intermission.

In the second stanza, although FSU trimmed its deficit to just 44-43 at the 14:11 mark, Malone pulled away again, opening up its largest lead of the contest (15 points) at 71-56 with 5:26 left.  The visitors did make one final charge down the stretch, cutting the lead to just six points on two occasions in the final minute or two, but the Pioneers would not be denied as the final margin swelled to 11 points in the 86-75 Malone victory.

Guard Christian Graves led all scorers in the contest with 21 points, including an impressive 5-of-10 effort from three-point range, while also tallying four rebounds.  Guard Isiah Elliott ripped the nets for 20 points, including an 8-for-8 performance at the foul line, while also contributing game-highs in both assists (seven) and steals (five). 

Forward Cory Veldhuizen netted 17 points (6-7 FG, 1-1 3FG, 4-5 FT) and also tallied a team-best seven boards, five assists and two steals. Center Daniel Wise also hit twin figures with 12 points to go along with six rebounds.

FSU was led in scoring by Drew Lehman with 16 points followed by Josh Fleming with 14. Lehman also paced the squad in rebounds with seven.

Malone will look to post back-to-back GLIAC wins on Saturday when the team hosts Grand Valley State University (MI), currently at 9-2 (5-2 GLIAC),  in a 3:00 p.m. contest.  Live stats are available for this contest.