DETROIT, Mich. -- On Sunday, the Malone University men's basketball team hit the road for the first time in the 2022-23 season. 

The Pioneers traveled to Michigan for a non-conference matchup with Wayne State University. 

MU led by seven points at halftime, but actually needed a late second-half comeback to pick up the 66-61 win over the Warriors. 

THE ESSENTIALS

• Final Score: Malone University Pioneers 66 - Wayne State Warriors 61
• Records: Malone (2-0, 0-0 G-MAC) | Wayne State (0-2, 0-0 GLIAC)
• Location: Detroit, Michigan | Wayne State Fieldhouse

THE GAME
The Pioneers came out the gate strong, and scored the first nine points of the game unanswered. 

Malone actually led by as many as thirteen points in the first half when a jumper by Simon Blair put MU up 25-12 with 7:34 remaining in the half. 

The Warriors battled back to trim Malone's lead down to four, but a strong finish to the half allowed the Pioneers to carry a 35-28 lead into the break.

Wayne State began the second-half on an 11-4 run that erased Malone's lead. 

Two minutes later a three-point basket gave WSU their first lead of the game at 45-44. 

The two teams traded scores for a couple of possessions, but eventually the Warriors were able to build up a 56-48 lead with just 6:35 remaining in the game. 

A layup by Levi Seiler and a triple from Justin Miller quickly cut the deficit down to just a possession. 

After a defensive stop from the Pioneers Elijah Hinton connected on a three-pointer to tie the game at 56-56. 

The Warriors rallied back with a three of their own, and then matched a layup from Hinton to take a 61-58 lead with less than two minutes left in the game.

Wayne State did not score again. 

Four straight points from Bo Myers put Malone ahead 62-61. A jumper by Miller made it 64-61, and then Myers put the finishing touches on Malone's 66-61 win with a pair of late free throws. 

DETAILS

• Elijah Hinton led all scorers in the game with 19 points. He was 5-6 from beyond the three-point line. 
• Bo Myers added 13 points, and finished with a team-high 11 rebounds to notch his first double-double of the season. 
• Justin Miller rounded out the double-digit scorers for Malone with 12 points. He also had a team-high five assists. 

WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers head south next later this week for more non-conference games. Malone will play at Emory & Henry College on Thursday, and at Lenoir-Rhyne University on Saturday. 

Thursday's tip-off at E&H is set for 6:00 p.m.

FOLLOW THE PIONEERS
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Malone University athletic programs this year follow the Pioneers on Twitter and Instagram, like Malone University Athletics on Facebook or visit www.malonepioneers.com.