The Malone University men's basketball team shot over 52% from the field on Saturday as it rolled to a convincing 88-58 victory at Kentucky Wesleyan College.

After struggling to get its offense on track in the second half of Thursday's narrow defeat at Trevecca Nazarene University, the Pioneers bounced back in a big way on Saturday, knocking down more than 60% of their shot attempts and outscoring Kentucky Wesleyan 49-30 over the final 20 minutes.

The Panthers led 17-15 in the early going of the contest before Malone went on a 22-5 scoring run to open up a 37-22 lead with two minutes to play in the opening period.

Kentucky Wesleyan would pull to within 41-33 in the early stages of the second half but it was all Pioneers the rest of the way as Malone took control with a 21-4 surge over the next six minutes.

The 30-point victory marked the Pioneers' largest road win since 2014 in a 72-41 triumph at Ohio Dominican University. 

Malone improved to 10-6 overall and 3-5 in Great Midwest play with the victory while the Panthers fell to 9-7 and 4-3 in conference games.
 
Game Highlights
-Malone outscored KWC 38-14 in the paint and held a 43-35 advantage in total rebounds
-The Pioneers knocked down 52.5% (32 of 61) of their overall shot attempts, including 10 of 26 (38.5%) three-pointers
-The Panthers made 32.3% of their field goals and seven of 27 (25.9%) treys
-Malone committed a season-low five turnovers while dishing out 21 assists on 32 made baskets
-30 points marked Kentucky Wesleyan's largest margin of defeat in Great Midwest Athletic Conference competition.  In addition, the 88-58 final marked the largest margin of defeat at home for KWC since losing by 34 to Louisville in 1956.
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Guard Ty Jordan reached the 20-point mark for the eighth time this season, posting 20 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals
-Forward Mitchell Spotleson registered 18 points and seven rebounds; the senior connected on six of his nine shot attempts, including four of seven three-pointers
-Guard Nate Sheppard tallied 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists
-Forward Djuro Pantos recorded 10 points and four boards
-Guard Daylan Haynie had nine points, three rebounds and three assists
-Forward Marcus Ernst contributed sixt points and four rebounds off the bench
-Guard Bryce Butler added four points, four rebounds and six assists

Kentucky Wesleyan Individual Highlights
-Forward Malek Harris led KWC with 15 points and seven rebounds
-Guard Rasheide Bell followed with 14 points, four assists and four boards
-Center Dakota Quinn added eight points, seven rebounds and three blocks
 
Up Next:
Malone will be back at home on Thursday for a 6:00 p.m. contest against Lake Erie College.  The game will be part of "Rock The Hall" Night at Osborne Hall, featuring contests and prizes for Malone students.