The Malone University men's basketball team tallied an 82-73 victory over visiting Kentucky Christian University on Tuesday evening at Osborne Hall. 

Although the Pioneers looked to be in command after building an 11-point lead in the early moments of the second half, the Knights would not go away quietly.  Kentucky Christian trimmed the deficit down to single digits and then would later use a 12-2 scoring run to pull in front 56-53 with under 10 minutes to play. 

Despite the KCU rally, Malone was able to regroup moments later, answering back with an 11-2 surge of its own to regain the lead at 66-60.  The Knights would score on their next trip down the floor to make it 66-62 but Kentucky Christian would get no closer the rest of the way as the Pioneers slowly added to their advantage over the final five minutes to secure the non-conference victory.

Malone improved to 15-11 overall and 9-4 at home with the win while KCU dropped to 5-25.
 
Game Recap
The contest remained close through a majority of the opening period before the Pioneers rattled off eight unanswered points to pull in front 33-23 with four minutes to play in the first half.  Marcus Ernst, Sehill Mouliom, Nate Sheppard and Danny Bartholomew all contributed buckets to help build the Malone lead.

Kentucky Christian responded by netting the game's next six points before Sheppard closed out the first-half scoring with a driving lay-up to send Malone to the locker room in front by a 35-29 margin.

A trio of three-pointers – one each from Ben Evans, Bryce Butler and Sheppard – ballooned the Pioneer advantage out to 11 at 44-33 in the early stages of the final frame. 

The Knights then charged back, twice pulling ahead by three before Malone managed to regain control.  A Daylan Haynie layup and a Jaret Majestic three-pointer put the hosts in front by two at 60-58.  Kentucky Christian's Juran Ligonde would tie it up at 60-60 before a jumper by Butler, a pair of free throws from Ernst and a bucket from Sheppard put the Pioneers in front for good.
 
Game Highlights
-Kentucky Christian drained 58.1% of its second-half shot attempts and ended the night, having made 50% of its field goals, 28.6% of its three-pointers and 81.8% of its foul shots
-Malone countered by making 45.7% of its shot attempts, 32.1% of its treys and 60% of its free throws
-The Knights attacked the basket for much of the night and finished with a 46-40 edge in points in the paint.
-Malone capitalized on KCU's 12 turnovers, scoring 14 points off Knight miscues.  The Pioneers also enjoyed an 18-6 edge in fast-break points
-Malone dished out 21 assists while grabbing nine steals
 
Malone Individual Highlights
-Sheppard finished with a team-high 24 points to go with six rebounds.  The performance marked the 13th time this season that the senior has reached 20 or more points
-Butler tallied 17 points, five assists and three rebounds
-Ernst registered his sixth double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 rebounds
-Haynie posted eight points, five assists and five rebounds
-Majestic added nine points off the bench
 
Kentucky Christian Individual Highlights
-Ligonde posted a game-high 31 points on 13 of 17 shooting.  The forward also grabbed nine rebounds and three steals
-Guard Owens Crawford notched 14 points and six assists
-Forward Cole Gilliland registered 12 points and nine rebounds
 
Up Next:
Malone will host rival Walsh University on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in the 55th annual Mayors' Cup.