Returning to action in 2020, the Malone University men's basketball team picked up a 75-53 victory over Trevecca Nazarene University on Thursday evening. The win puts the Pioneers at 9-5 overall this season, and 3-1 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play. Malone has won four straight games and seven of their last eight contests. The Trojans of Trevecca Nazarene fall to 1-13 this season, 1-4 in the G-MAC.
 
Trevecca Nazarene came out of the gate hot and jumped out to a 13-7 lead after a three from Jaylon Tharpe. The Pioneers took their first lead of the game at the 10-minute mark in the first half when Jaret Majestic splashed a shot from three-point land to make it 18-16.
 
To end the half, Malone exploded on a 22-5 run to make the score 40-21 as the buzzer sounded. The Pioneers shot an impressive 10-of-11 from the free throw line in half number one, including three consecutive from Bo Myers after he was fouled on a shot from long range.
 
Daylan Haynie had 14 first half points on a near perfect shooting performance. Haynie was 5-of-6 from the field with two shots from beyond the arc and two of two from the charity stripe.
 
After a long ball from Trevecca's Reed Smith, Majestic hit back-to-back trifectas to create another scoring surge to start the second half. The Pioneers went on a 13-0 run to extend the gap to 29 at 55-26. Majestic scored 10 of the 13 points over the two-minute scoring stretch.
 
The Trojans tried to claw their way back into the game, going on a 12-2 swing in momentum, causing the Pioneers to call a timeout. Kenneth McCollough-Lomax Jr. connected on a pair of three-point shots to put any comeback hopes to bed as Malone pulled away to a 75-53 win.
 
Game Highlights:
- The Pioneers shot the ball better than the Trojans in all aspects of the game. From the field, Malone shot 25-of-59 (42.4%) compared to 20-of-50 (40.0%). From deep, the Pioneers went 12-of-36 (33.3%), compared to 4-of-14 (28.6%) for Trevecca Nazarene. At the free throw line, Malone converted 13-of-15 (86.7%) attempts, and the Trojans shot 9-of-16 (56.3%).
- Trevecca Nazarene tried to feed the ball inside to 7-foot-2 center Adam Webb, but Marcus Ernst and Sehill Mouliom held the big man to only seven total points in the game.
- The Trojans won the turnover battle 16-12, but Malone was able to convert those 12 turnovers into 22 points, where Trevecca Nazarene was only able to turn those 16 loose balls into eight.
 
Malone Individual Highlights:
- For the third time this season, Jaret Majestic scorched the net for five three's. He led the squad in points (23), assists (5) and minutes played (32).
- Marcus Ernst brought down 13 rebounds for the second consecutive game, as well as scored 16 points. He led the team in steals and blocks with three apiece.
- Daylan Haynie scored 14 first-half points, had three assists and was turnover-free in 29 minutes on the floor.
 
Trevecca Nazarene Individual Highlights:
- Chris Rogers, Reed Smith and Nathan Harper shared the team-lead in points scored with eight apiece.
- Adam Webb brought down a team-high seven rebounds.
- Imani Starling distributed four assists to lead the Trojan passers.
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers play host to Kentucky Wesleyan on Saturday, January 4 at 3 pm, following a women's game against the Panthers at 1 pm.