Box ScoreThe Malone University men's basketball team wrapped up preseason play on Monday night with a 69-48 defeat in its exhibition game at NCAA Division I Cleveland State University.
Three straight three-pointers, one by forward
Brandon Bapst and two by guard
Stephen O'Daniel III, lifted the Pioneers to an early 9-4 advantage. Cleveland State used a 9-0 run to pull in front midway through the opening stanza and then took a 29-20 edge into the locker room at halftime.
A pair of buckets by forward
Neil Gingerich trimmed the deficit to 29-24 at the start of the second half, but that was as close as the Pioneers would get before 6-0 and 7-0 scoring runs put the Vikings in command.
Malone center
Brian Stone registered a team-high 14 points on the night. The 6'8 junior converted on five of eight shots from the field and four of seven free throws. He also grabbed four rebounds and a steal over the course of the evening.
O'Daniel III finished with eight points and team-best six rebounds. Bapst registered six points, four rebounds, three assists and a block while freshman guard
Ben Haraway contributed four points, five rebounds and three assists.
Guard Trey Lewis tossed in a game-high 27 points for CSU.
The Pioneers will open the regular season this weekend by competing in the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge at NCAA Division II #17 Lewis (IL) University in Romeoville, Illinois. Malone will take on the University of Indianapolis on Friday at 7:00 p.m. before facing the host Flyers at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.
