CANTON -- Saturday, the Malone University men's basketball team played their final game before the Christmas break.

The Pioneers welcomed Trevecca Nazarene to town for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference game. 

THE ESSENTIALS

• Final Score: Malone University Pioneers 57 - Trevecca Nazarene University Trojans 45
• Records: Malone (7-2, 4-1 G-MAC) | Trevecca Nazarene (1-8, 0-3 G-MAC)
• Location: Canton, Ohio | Osborne Hall

THE GAME
Trevecca, who traditionally plays at the slowest pace of anyone in the G-MAC, was able to weather a hot start by the Pioneers and slow the game down early on. 

Justin Miller's first three-pointer of the afternoon capped off a 10-0 Malone run, and gave the Pioneers a 10-4 lead less than five minutes into the game. 

The Trojan defense limited Malone to just 18 total points over the next 15 minutes. 

TNU answered that 10-0 Pioneer run with a 9-0 stretch of their own to grab a 13-10 lead just before the 13:00 mark of the first half. 

Both teams traded baskets for several possessions, but late in the half the visiting Trojans started to build up a bit of an advantage. 

A Trevecca field goal by Jaden Smallwood just inside of four minutes to play in the half helped give TNU their largest lead of the afternoon at 30-22.

Malone closed the half strong however, and a pair of late free throws by Bo Myers helped cut Trevecca's lead down to 32-28 just before the halftime break. 

Locker room adjustments by the Pioneers were evident immediately in the second-half. 

Elijah Hinton connected on back-to-back shots from three-point territory that erased the deficit, and put MU up 34-32.

The Pioneers never trailed again. 

On the defensive end of the court Malone held Trevecca scoreless for the first eight minutes of the second half. 

The result on the offensive end was ultimately a 20-0 Pioneer run that had Malone leading the game 44-32 with just twelve minutes left to play. 

The Trojans got to within six points late in the half, but MU ended the game on a 6-0 run to put the finishing touches on a 57-45 win.

DETAILS

• Bo Myers finished with 15 points to lead all scorers. He also pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds to finish with his third double-double of the season.
• Justin Miller added 11 points. He also dished out a team-high 5 assists.
• Levi Seiler and Elijah Hinton each had 10 points to round out Malone's double-digit scorers. 

WHAT'S NEXT
Malone has nearly a two-week break for the Christmas holiday. The Pioneers will be back in action on Friday, December 30 when they host Central State University in non-conference action. 

Tip-off from Osborne Hall is scheduled for 3:00 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.