NORTH CANTON, Ohio -- The men's basketball teams at Malone University and Walsh University renewed their annual rivalry on Saturday.

The Pioneers made the short drive up Market Avenue, and were able to come away with a 76-66 Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) win over the Cavaliers. 

THE ESSENTIALS

• Final Score: Malone University Pioneers 76 - Walsh University Cavaliers 66
• Records: Malone (5-2, 2-1 G-MAC) | Walsh (4-4, 1-2 G-MAC)
• Location: North Canton, Ohio | Alumni Arena

THE GAME
Walsh opened up the scoring with a three-pointer, but Malone quickly answered with a triple from Levi Seiler. 

One possession later Simon Blair broke the early 3-3 tie with his first basket of the game to put the Pioneers up 5-3. Malone never trailed again the rest of the afternoon. 

MU's lead grew to as many as 13 points late in the opening half when Brady Moore connected on a three-pointer, but a late run by Walsh had the Pioneer lead down to just 44-39 at halftime. 

The second half opened with both teams trading scores for several possessions. The Cavaliers were actually able to tie the game on two different occasions, before a big run by Malone gave the Pioneers some breathing room. 

With the score tied at 49-49 MU went on a 15-0 run. The run was jump started by a three-pointer by Justin Miller, one of his four on the afternoon. It was capped off by another Miller trey that put Malone up 64-49 with just 12:29 left to play in the game. 

It would actually be another two full minutes before the Cavaliers ended their nearly seven-minute scoring drought. 

Walsh got to within seven points of the Pioneers late in the game, but that second-half run was too much for the home team to overcome. 

In the end the Pioneers were able to close out their rivals on the road for the 76-66 win.

DETAILS

• Justin Miller finished with a game-high 29 points. He also pulled down 5 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists.
• Simon Blair (12) and Levi Seiler (11) rounded out the double-digit scorers for Malone.
• Caleb Conard led the Pioneers in rebounding with 8. 

WHAT'S NEXT
Malone returns home on Thursday night for a G-MAC matchup with Kentucky Wesleyan College. Tip-off from Osborne Hall is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. 

That game will begin a stretch of five straight home games for the Pioneers.

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.