NORTH CANTON, Ohio -- On Satutrday afternoon, the Malone University men's basketball team played their third consecutive road game. Unlike last weekend however, the Pioneers did not have to travel far this time. 

MU made the short trek up Market Avenue to take on crosstown rival Walsh University for the 58th Annual Mayors' Cup. 

Beyond the bragging rights associated with owning the Mayors' Cup trophy for the next year, positioning within the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) was at stake as well. 

Malone entered the afternoon in sole possession of first place. Walsh was among several times one game behind the Pioneers in the loss column. 

That all changed however when the Cavaliers came way with the win.

Walsh (14-5, 10-3 G-MAC) opened up a sixteen-point lead at halftime. Malone (15-5, 10-3 G-MAC) came roaring back in the second-half, but WU was able to fend the Pioneers off down the stretch for the 90-84 win. 

The two rivals are now tied atop the league standings. Hillsdale College and Ashland University sit in a tie for second, each at 10-4 in G-MAC play. 

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
It is no secret that Malone has had Walsh's number lately, but the Cavaliers came ready to debunk that stigma from the opening tip. 

Walsh's efficiency in the first-half, particularly on the offensive end of the floor, was tough for the Pioneers to keep pace with. 

The teams consistently traded scores for most of the opening half, unfortunately for Malone a lot of the Walsh baskets were from three-point range. 

WU connected on their first three attempts from distance, and went on to shoot 11-14 from beyond the arc in the opening twenty minutes. 

There were several instances in the first-half where it looked like Walsh might really put some distance between themselves and the Pioneers. 

However, Malone always seemed to have an answer.

The Cavaliers were up seven points very early on, but a triple by Bryce Butler made it a 13-9 game at the first media stoppage. 

Later on in the half, back-to-back three-pointers from Walsh had their lead back out to seven. Malone responded with two straight baskets from Marcus Ernst to cut it back to four. 

Ernst really had things going in the first half, and the Pioneers adjusted their offense accordingly making sure that he touched the ball nearly every single time down the floor. The big man was virtually unstoppable underneath the basket. He scored 19 points on 9-11 shooting from the field. 

Unfortunately for the Pioneers, the Cavaliers hot shooting from three-point range helped the home team build up a 53-37 halftime lead. 

Walsh scored the first two points of the second-half as well. That eighteen-point lead was their largest of the afternoon. 

Slowly but surely Malone began to chip away. 

Coming out of the first media stoppage of the second-half, Ernst converted on an 'old-fashioned' three-point play which cut the deficit down to 59-50. 

The Pioneers' defense forced a turnover on the next possession, and then Jaret Majestic drilled a three-pointer to bring the Cavalier lead down to just six points with 14:07 still to play in the game. 

Malone continued to stay right there within striking distance for the rest of the evening, but every time it looked like the comeback was complete Walsh had an answer. 

Another Majestic triple made it a four-point game with just over a minute left, but Walsh answered right back with a layup on the other end. 

Ernst slammed home a dunk to make it 86-82 with 42 seconds remaining. Malone was forced to foul the Cavaliers in an attempt to extend the game. It worked initially as Walsh missed two straight free throws on the other end. 

Unfortunately the Pioneers could not capitalize on the opportunity. MU turned the ball over on the ensuing possession. Walsh converted on all four of their next free throws to hold on for the 90-84 win.


PIONEER POINTS

• Marcus Ernst finished with a career-high 34 points to lead all scorers. He was 12-18 from the field and 10-12 from the free throw line. He also led Malone with nine rebounds, just one shy of his fifth double-double this season.
• Bryce Butler added 17 points. He also dished out a team-high 4 assists.
• Bo Myers rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Pioneers with 12 points.
• Despite their struggles on the defensive end of the floor, Malone's offense played at an extremely high level. The Pioneers shot 51.7% from the field, and 60% from three-point range.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Pioneers will finally be back at home next week. Malone is set to host Hillsdale College on Thursday, February 10. Tip-off from Osborne Hall is set for 7:30 p.m.