CANTON -- After a tough stretch of road games, the Malone University men's basketball team was back inside the friendly confines of Osborne Hall Saturday for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) matchup with the Cedarville University Yellow Jackets. 

Eight lead changes, and a overtime period later, the Pioneers were able to outlast the Jackets 84-82.

THE ESSENTIALS

• Final Score: Malone University Pioneers 84 - Cedarville University Yellow Jackets 82
• Records: Malone (14-8, 9-7 G-MAC) | Cedarville (17-7, 10-6 G-MAC)
• Location: Canton, Ohio | Osborne Hall

THE GAME
It took a couple trips up and down the floor before either team's offense found their footing. 

Erwin Gutic's three-pointer got things going for the Pioneers, who never trailed in the first half. 

Levi Seiler was the offensive catalyst for Malone much of the afternoon, and it was back-to-back triples from the senior that gave MU their first double-digit lead of the day at 22-12 with 9:56 left in the opening half. 

The Pioneer lead got as high as 12 points, on another Seiler triple at the 4:08 mark, but Cedarville closed the half strong. 

When the teams headed back to the locker room Malone's advantage was just 40-35 on the scoreboard. 

Six straight points by the Yellow Jackets to open the half gave Cedarville their first lead of the day. 

Seiler had the answer for Malone however. Yet another three-pointer ended the early scoring drought, and put MU ahead 43-41. 

The teams traded baskets for much of the second-half. Both offenses shot nearly 50% from the field in the second 20 minutes, but Malone was always able to maintain a one or two possession lead. 

Cedarville made a late run, and actually pulled ahead of Malone 75-74 with less than a minute to play. 

Once again though, it was Levi Seiler with the answer. His turnaround jumpshot inside the paint with just 26 seconds left gave the Pioneers a 76-75 advantage. 

Cedarville earned a trip to foul line on their ensuing possession, but the atmosphere from the Osborne Hall crowd led to the Jackets missing both opportunities. 

Bo Myers secured the rebound off the second miss, and was fouled. He made one of the two free throws which gave Cedarville an opportunity to tie or win the game in regulation. 

The Yellow Jackets had several looks at the rim in the closing seconds, but it ultimately was a foul with less than second left on the clock that allowed CU to tie the game at 77-77 and send the game into overtime.

Justin Miller took over the game in the extra period. He scored all seven of Malone's overtime points, including a step back jumpshot with less than two seconds left on the clock that gave the Pioneers the 84-82 victory.

DETAILS

• Levi Seiler poured in a career-high 32 points to lead all scorers in the game. He was a perfect 5-5 from outside the three-point line. He also pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds to finish with the first double-double of his career.
• Justin Miller added 21 points. including the seven in overtime. He also grabbed 12 rebounds to complete his second double-double of the season.
• 18 points from Bo Myers rounded out the double-digit scorers for Malone.

WHAT'S NEXT
Malone will host the No. 15 Hillsdale College Chargers on Thursday night. Tip-off is set for 7:30 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.