The Malone University men's basketball team snapped Ohio Dominican University's 12-game home winning streak on Thursday night with a 75-66 Great Midwest Athletic Conference victory in Columbus.

The Pioneers led by just one at 57-56 with four and a half minutes to play.  However, Malone then took command, using a 13-4 run over the next three minutes to open up a 70-60 advantage with 90 seconds remaining.  The Panthers scored the game's next four points to pull within six but could get no closer the rest of the way as Malone went on to register an important conference victory. 

The Pioneers, winners of five of their last six games, improved to 12-8 overall and 7-6 in the G-MAC while ODU fell to 12-8 and 8-5 in conference games.
 
Game Recap
Malone charged out to an early 19-8 lead in the contest before the Panthers clawed back, using a 19-7 surge to pull ahead 27-26 with four minutes remaining in the opening period.

The Pioneers went to the locker room holding a 34-32 advantage.  The contest would remain close throughout a majority of the second half before Malone took control with its late run.

Guard Daylan Haynie got things started by sinking his second three-pointer of the evening.  Guard Nate Sheppard then sank back-to-back contested three-pointers before forward Ben Evans converted a four-point play.  The senior big man was fouled on a made triple from the corner and then stepped to the line and sank his foul shot to put Malone in front by 10.

The Panthers' Sam Hickey answered with a three on Ohio Dominican's next trip down the floor, but it was not enough to overcame Malone's late scoring surge as the Pioneers avenged an 81-70 home loss to ODU from back in December and evened the season-series between the two teams at one game apiece.
 
Game Highlights
-The Pioneers knocked down 44.4% of their shot attempts, including 11 of 24 (45.8%) three-pointers
-ODU shot 40.6% over the course of the evening, but struggled from three-point range, hitting just five of 23 (21.7%) triples
-Despite trailing 44-40 in total rebounds, the Panthers held a 16-9 edge in second-chance points
-Both teams were balanced in scoring as Malone had five players in double figures while the Panthers had four
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Sheppard scored 13 of his game-high 20 points in the second half and grabbed a total of eight rebounds.  The performance marked his tenth game this year with 20 or more points and moves him up to 12th on the Pioneers' all-time scoring list, now with 1,561 career points
-Playing in front of his hometown fans, Haynie posted 17 points.  The junior made seven of nine field goals, including both of his three-point attempts.  He also dished out three assists and grabbed two steals and two rebounds
-Marcus Ernst registered his fourth double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds
-Evans and guard Bryce Butler both totaled 11 points, six rebounds and two assists
 
Ohio Dominican Individual Highlights
-Tahj Curry led ODU with 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists
-Hickey posted 13 points
-Forward Hasan Varence totaled 10 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks
 
Up Next:
Malone will travel to Ohio Valley University on Saturday for a 3:00 p.m. contest.