Archived Video Broadcast

The Malone University men's basketball team picked up an 85-66 non-conference victory over Bluefield State College on Saturday afternoon at Osborne Hall after shooting a season-best 50% from three-point range.

Malone built a 44-29 halftime advantage after knocking down eight of its 14 attempts from beyond the arc over the first 20 minutes.  Guard Christian Graves and forward Nate Sheppard accounted for seven of the eight first-half treys with Graves going a perfect 4-for-4 from long range and Sheppard hitting three of four from deep.

Bluefield State opened the final stanza with a bucket but a quick 7-0 Malone scoring run put the hosts in front 51-31 two and a half minutes into the period.  The Blues managed to cut the deficit to 11 on two separate occasions late in the game before the Pioneers put the contest out of reach with an 8-0 surge.

Sheppard finished the afternoon with a career-high 28 points.  The junior hit five of six treys and grabbed 10 boards for his second double-double of the season. 

With the victory, Malone completed a season sweep of Bluefield State and improved to 9-10 overall.  The Blues, who entered the contest on a three-game winning streak, slipped to 5-15 following the defeat.

Game Highlights
-The Pioneers shot 56% from the field in the second half and finished the game having made 28 of their 58 (48.3%) shot attempts, 11 of 22 three-pointers and 18 of 28 (64.3%) free throws
-BSC countered by shooting 37.1% (26 of 70) form the field, 31.8% (seven of 22) from three, and 100% (seven of seven) from the line
-Malone held a commanding 49-30 advantage in total rebounds.  The +19 rebounding margin was the second best of the season for the Pioneers

Malone Individual Highlights
-In addition to his 5-of-6 accuracy from three-point land, Sheppard also connected on nine of 12 free throws.  His previous career high was 23 points, scored in last year's season opener against Davis & Elkins College
-Graves hit seven of 10 shot attempts, including five of six from downtown.  He also grabbed nine rebounds and handed out four assists
-Guard Ty Jordan tossed in 17 points.  He also handed out seven assists while grabbing three rebounds and two steals
-Forward Djuro Pantos posted 10 points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks
-Forward Mitchell Spotleson matched his season-high with 12 rebounds

Bluefield State Highlights
-Guard Josh Windham tallied 24 points with three rebounds and three assists
-Guard Greg Purnell added 11 points, four assists and four steals
-Guard Keenma Jones came off the bench to register 11 points and four rebounds

Up Next:
Malone will return to Great Midwest Athletic Conference play on Thursday night with an 8:00 p.m. home contest against Kentucky Wesleyan College