The Malone University men's basketball team defeated Trevecca Nazarene University 74-71 on Saturday in their final home contest of the season. With the win over the Trojans, the Pioneers have clinched a spot in the G-MAC tournament. The Pioneer men have won seven straight games and ten of their last eleven as they move to 19-7 (12-6) on the season. Trevecca Nazarene slipped to 4-21 (3-14) on the season.

The 2018 Malone Athletics Hall of Fame Class was honored at halftime.

Game Recap
The contest saw a plethora of lead changes early on. Neither team was able to take a lead larger than three points, until the Pioneers went on a 12-2 run just after the midway point of the first half. The run was kick-started by a steal and a layup by Jaret Majestic.

At the halfway point, the Pioneers held a 43-28 lead. Nate Sheppard scored 15 of his 19 points in the first half and Malone turned the ball over just three times during the first 20 minutes.

The Pioneers' ability to take care of the basketball quickly faded in the second half, as they would turn the ball over three times in just the first 90 seconds of the second half. The team would commit eleven turnovers in the second half overall

Trevecca Nazarene went on a 20-6 run early in the second half to take a 50-49 lead over the Pioneers. The Trojans would eventually gain a six-point advantage over the Pioneers with 9:26 remaining in the contest.

Mitchell Spotleson splashed a three to ignite a 7-0 run that would regain the lead for the Pioneers.

The lead would change hands eleven times in the final eight minutes, with five ties as well. Trailing by two points with just under 40 seconds remaining, Daylan Haynie scored on an old-fashion three-point play to give the Pioneers the lead for good. Mitchell Spotleson went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the final 70 seconds to secure the 74-71 victory for the Pioneers.

In his final home game as a Pioneer, Mitchell Spotleson led the Pioneers with 20 points and 8 rebounds. He shot 6 for 9 from the floor, including 4 for 6 from the three-point line.

Sheppard finished with 19 points while Ty Jordan added 11 points, four rebounds and four assists.

The Pioneer bench was a big key in the victory, out-scoring the Trojan's bench 17-0 in the contest.  

Jacob Williams led Trevecca Nazarene with 29 points, making six of ten three-pointers on the day.

Up Next
The Pioneers will travel to Walsh next Saturday. Malone and Walsh are two of three teams who have clinched a spot in the postseason tournament. The cross-town rivals will be battling for seeding positions in the contest.