CANTON -- The Malone University men's basketball team tipped off the 2022-23 season at home Friday night with a non-conference matchup against the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals.
After a slow start for both teams early on, the Pioneers went on a huge first-half run that helped put MU up 53-21 at the halftime break.
Malone never looked back in the second half en route to a 97-53 win.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Final Score: Malone University Pioneers 97 - Saginaw Valley State Cardinals 53
- Records: Malone (1-0, 0-0 G-MAC) | Saginaw Valley State (0-1, 0-0 GLIAC)
- Location: Canton, Ohio | Osborne Hall
THE GAME
Justin Miller scored the opening points of a game that the Pioneers never trailed in.
After the two teams spent the early minute trading baskets, it was a three-pointer by
Elijah Hinton that sparked a massive Malone run.
Ultimately the Pioneers outscored the Cardinals 29-6 through the middle part of the first half to create a huge advantage. Not only did MU find success on the offensive end of the floor, but the defensive effort was outstanding as well.
SVSU did not reach the double-digit threshold until the 10:43 mark of the first half.
Malone continued to hit on all cylinders, and carried a 53-21 advantage to the halftime locker room.
The end result was never in doubt in the second-half, however Malone did not let up.
The Pioneers continued to suffocate SVSU defensively which led to easy opportunities on the offensive end.
A layup from Hinton put MU ahead 86-35 with 10:50 still left to play in the game.
Freshman
Terrance Broughton's three-pointer with 8:50 left on the clock game Malone their largest lead of the night at 91-38.
Ultimately the Pioneers were able to get all fourteen players involved in the game, and closed out the Cardinals down the stretch for a 97-53 win.
DETAILS
- Bo Myers led all scorers with 20 points on 7-16 shooting..
- Elijah Hinton, was an efficient 8-10 from the field, and finished with a career-high 19 points
- Justin Miller added 18 points, and dished out a team-high five assists.
- Simon Blair closed out the double-digit scorers with 11 points.
- Malone outrebounded SVSU 42-30. They had 21 second-chance points compared to just three for the Cardinals.
WHAT'S NEXT
Malone begins a three-game road trek on Sunday with a trip to Wayne State.
Tip-off against the Warriors is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS
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www.malonepioneers.com.
