Box Score | Archived Video Broadcast

The Malone University men's basketball team picked up its first win of the season by defeating the College of Faith 101-83 Wednesday night in Osborne Hall.

In an up tempo first half, the visiting Saints opened up an early 18-14 lead through the first six minutes. The lead would last until the 10:54 mark when Nate Sheppard hit a pair of free throws to put Malone on top for the first time in the game at 21-20. Two possessions later, College of Faith regained the lead with a steal and a fast break layup. After a layup by Sheppard put Malone back in front, the Saints' Bobby Morris gave College of Faith a 24-23 lead at the 9:21 mark of the first half. A pair of Djuro Pantos free throws put the Pioneers on top 25-24 with 8:22 left in the first half and the Saints never led again.
 
In the second half, the College of Faith managed to outshoot Malone 57.6% (19-33) to 50% (19-38) from the field but couldn't overcome the mounting deficit. The Pioneers' 12-point halftime lead ballooned to as many as 29 points late in the second half before the Saints closed out the game on an 11-0 run. The Pioneers took advantage of the undersized and outmanned squad, outrebounding the Saints 22-14 in the second half. Malone hauled in 12 offensive rebounds and poured in 19 second chance points in the final 20 minutes to help secure the home victory.
 
Game Highlights
-Over the entire game, Malone held a 42-27 advantage on the glass and scored 28 second-chance points
-College of Faith shot 51.6% (33-64) from the floor while Malone hit 32-of-66 (48.5%) of their shot attempts
-Malone fared well at the free-throw line, knocking down 27-of-32 (84.4%) of their charity tosses
-The Pioneers recorded 20 assists on 32 made field goals compared to just 10 assists on 33 makes for the Saints
-The 101 points for Malone was the most since scoring 107 against Silver Lake (WI) last November
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Nate Sheppard led the Pioneers with 19 points including two on a thunderous dunk early in the second half
-Senior Brandon Bapst finished with 16 points, six rebounds, and two steals
-Chris Johnson and Mitchell Spotleson posted nearly identical statlines. Johnson collected 13 points, nine rebounds, and two steals. Spotleson went for 13 points, eight boards, and a pair of steals
-Junior point guard Ty Jordan scored 12 points and dished out a game-high eight assists
 
College of Faith Individual Highlights
-Bobby Morris put on a show on the offensive end for the Saints, finishing with a game-high 29 points on 13-of-25 shooting in addition to his team high seven rebounds.
-Charles Harris was equally impressive, tallying 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting and a team-high four assists.
-Angel Sanchez recorded a game-high four steals.
 
Up Next
Malone will make a trip to Pippas Passes, Kentucky to take on Alice Lloyd College this Saturday at 3:00 pm.