The Malone University men's basketball team dropped a back-and-forth contest with the University of Findlay on Thursday night by a score of 69-63. The game featured 12 lead changes and 10 ties, but late free throw shooting from the Oilers was enough to ice the game.
 
The Pioneers sit at 11-9 overall following the loss, 5-5 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference play. Findlay gets back in the win column and are 13-6 on the season, 8-2 in league play.
 
Recap:
Jaret Majestic knocked down two of his game-high six three-point shots in the opening five minutes of the contest to chip away at an early Findlay lead. The Pioneers would gain their first lead of the game at 14-13 on a Marcus Ernst lay-up following a steal from the big man with 12 minutes to go in the first half.
 
Defense would take over in the closing stages of the first half. Eli Ramsey buried a three with 11 minutes remaining, off an assist from Daylan Haynie, and the teams would combine to score only 12 points apiece over the remaining time in the first stanza.
 
Malone held the Oilers to their fewest first half points since their season-opening game against Truman State as the Pioneers led 29-27 at the break. Findlay shot 11-of-30 from the field (36.7%) in the first half, but Malone struggled from the field as well, going 11-of-31.
 
The lead changed hands seven times before the first media timeout in the second half. Free throw shooting gave the Oilers a six point edge at 44-38, but a pair of shots from long range by Majestic knotted the game up with 14 minutes left to go.
 
Big plays would come one after another towards the midway point in the closing frame. Sehill Mouliom rocked the rim with a two-handed dunk right down Main Street in transition, then Findlay's Tre'Maine Gray had a chase down block following an Oiler turnover. Ernst rose up on a backdoor screen lob play on the next Pioneer offensive possession to tie the game at 48.
 
Findlay jumped back out to a six point advantage, but scores on five of the next six offensive possessions gave a 59-58 lead back to Malone with under five minutes to play.
 
A three-point play from Aaron Overhiser gave the Oilers momentum back as they eventually pulled away to a seven margin. Majestic splashed another three and was fouled for a four-point play to keep the Pioneers in striking distance, but did not have enough fuel to catch Findlay as they secured a 69-63 win.
 
Game Highlights:
- After a poor shooting performance in the first half, Findlay would be efficient from the field in the second, going 16-of-28 (57.1%).
- In the painted area, Findlay outscored Malone 46-30.
- The Pioneers scored 21 points off 16 Oiler turnovers, compared to only 14 points for Findlay on 11 Malone turnovers.
 
Malone Individual Highlights:
- Jaret Majestic scored a game-high 19 points, on 6-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc.
- Marcus Ernst followed closely behind with 18 points, collected eight rebounds (four on the offensive end) and had a team-high three steals.
- Daylan Haynie played 39 of the 40 minutes and recorded nine assists, tying his season high achieved earlier this season versus Bethany.
 
Findlay Individual Highlights:
- Nathan Bruns scored 16 points and secured 11 rebounds (seven offensive).
- Aaron Overhiser netted 13 points and brought down seven total boards.
- Anthony Masterlasco was 5-of-8 from the field to total 13 points on the evening.
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers look to right the ship after a pair of losses on Saturday, February 1 at Hillsdale. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 pm.