The Malone University men's basketball team lost on the road at the University of Charleston Wednesday night by a score of 92-86. The Pioneers fall to 1-2 this season and the Golden Eagles pick up their third win in a row and their first home victory to start the 2019-20 campaign 3-0.
 
Recap:
Action was faster than a NASCAR race and by the first media timeout, the teams had scored a combined 40 points. Charleston jumped out to an early advantage, but head coach Casey Kaufman and the Pioneer offense battled right back. Jaret Majestic connected on a mid-range jumper, followed by a shot from long range, then proceeded to record assists on a Marcus Ernst lay-up and a Bo Myers three as the lead began to trade back and forth.
 
At its peak, the Pioneers took a 5-point lead with 8:44 left to play in the first half on a jumper in the paint from Daylan Haynie. A pair of three-point plays from the Golden Eagles flipped the script in a hurry and four jumpers from beyond the arc in the final five minutes fueled Charleston to a 50-45 halftime lead.
 
Malone would fall behind by double-digits for the first time today at 61-50 just five minutes into the second half, but four missed shots and a turnover allowed the Pioneers to climb back into the game. Back-to-back-to-back triples from Majestic, Kenneth McCullough-Lomax Jr. and Majestic again brought Malone back within one, 65-64.
 
The Pioneers took the lead for a possession, but a layup on the other end by Lamont McManus swung the pendulum back in Charleston's direction with 10 minutes left and the Golden Eagles did not look back from there.
 
Malone tried to pound the ball inside, as the final 14 Pioneer points came in the painted area, but fell short as Charleston went 10-of-12 from the charity stripe to seal the high-scoring 92-86 win.
 
Game Highlights:
- Malone shot 63.0% from the field in the game, the highest Pioneer shooting percentage in a road game in the last decade.
- Charleston shot exceptionally well throughout, and in all facets, of the game as well: 32-of-60 from the field overall (53.3%), 12-of-21 from three (57.1%) and 16-of-18 from the free throw line (88.9%).
- In a seesaw battle, the lead changed hands 18 times.
- An increase in shooting percentages came as a result of crisp passing, with both teams handing out over 20 assists (22-20 Charleston).
- The Golden Eagles recorded 12 steals on 14 Malone turnovers.  

Malone Highlights:
- Off the bench, Jaret Majestic recorded a career-high in points with 23 and assists with six. The sharpshooter went 5-of-9 from three and 9-of-13 from the field.
- Marcus Ernst matched Majestic at 9-of-13 overall in the game while scoring a career-high 22 points. Ernst recorded his seventh career double-double as he pulled down 10 rebounds as well.
- Daylan Haynie played all 40 minutes for the Pioneers with four points and five assists.
- Sehill Mouliom contributed with 16 total points and four boards.
- Kenneth McCullough-Lomax Jr. provided a spark in the second half with seven points and was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field.  

Charleston Highlights:
- Drew Rackley led the way for the Golden Eagles with 26 points, five assists, two steals and was 6-of-8 from three point land.
- Lamont McManus continues to haunt the Pioneers with 24 points in this one, along with six rebounds and five assists.
- Seth O'Neal had a phenomenal overall game with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, along with 6-of-7 from the free throw line.  

Up Next:
The Pioneers host Bethany (WV) for the 2019-20 Home Opener at Osborne Hall this Saturday, November 16. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 pm.