NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Malone University men's basketball team was in Music City, USA on Saturday for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) matchup with the Trevecca Nazarene University Trojans. 

The Pioneers (15-4, 10-2 G-MAC) built up a double-digit lead at halftime, and held off a pesky second-half comeback attempt by the Trojans (5-15, 2-11) to secure the 68-62 win. 

For Malone, it is their fifth win in a row this season, and their fourth consecutive victory away from Osborne Hall. 

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
The game was back-and-forth early on, thanks in part to some crucial three-point baskets by the home team.

Trevecca opened up the game with a triple. Later on their second three-pointer put the them ahead 16-12 with 12:55 left to play in the first half. 

The Pioneers answered back with a pair of triples themselves. Bo Myers cut it to a one-point game, and then Justin Miller put MU up 18-16 on the very next offensive possession. 

Trevecca responded to Miller's basket to tie the game at 18-18, but the Trojans never did lead again the rest of the night.

A 14-4 Malone run, capped off by a Bryce Butler trey, gave the Pioneers their first double-digit lead at 32-22. 

Eventually MU stretched their advantage out to twelve points by the halftime break. 

Less than five minutes into the second half Myers gave the Pioneers their largest lead of the night. His fastbreak layup at the 15:47 mark put Malone up 51-37. 

The Pioneers looked to be well on their way to the win, but Trevecca refused to go quietly.  

TNU's defense ratcheted up their pressure, and the Trojans were able to do enough offensively to keep the lead within striking distance. 

A Jaret Majestic triple gave Malone another fourteen-point advantage with just over ten minutes to play, but yet again Trevecca had an answer. 

The Trojans' defense only allowed Malone to score ten more points over the final 10:42. 

Things started clicking on the offensive end for TNU, and still with 1:47 to play Malone's lead was only 64-61. 

A basket by Marcus Ernst pushed the Pioneers' advantage back out to multiple possessions, and MU was ultimately able to hang on for the 68-62 win.


PIONEER POINTS

• For the second consecutive game Bo Myers was Malone's leading scorer. The junior finished with 16 points. He came up just one rebound shy of a double-double, finishing with nine. 
• Marcus Ernst was the only other Pioneer player in double-digits. He scored 12 points on 6-10 shooting from the field.
• Malone's defense forced Trevecca into 13 turnovers, which helped lead to 17 points on the other end of the floor. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Pioneers have another tough road test next week. Malone will make the short drive up Market Avenue on February 5 for the 58th Annual Mayors' Cup against rival Walsh University. Tip-off from North Canton is set for 3:00 p.m.