Tiffin, Ohio -- The 2023 Great Midwest Men's Basketball Championship Tournament began with the quarterfinal round on Tuesday night. 

The number five seeded Malone University Pioneers traveled to take on the number four seed Tiffin University Dragons. 

Despite being the lower seed, the Pioneers never trailed in the contest on their way to an 82-75 win. 

THE ESSENTIALS

• Final Score: Malone University Pioneers 82 - Tiffin University Dragons 75
• Records: Malone (17-10, 11-9 G-MAC) | Tiffin (15-14, 12-8 G-MAC)
• Location: Tiffin, Ohio | Gilmor Center

THE GAME
It took a couple of minutes for both teams to find their footing offensively. 

Bo Myers finally lit up the scoreboard with the game's first two points at the 17:32 mark of the first half. 

The game was back-and-forth early on before a late first-half surge by the Pioneers gave Malone a big advantage at halftime. 

With MU leading 19-18, the Pioneers outscored the Dragons 29-12 over the final 10:17 of the half to carry a 48-30 lead to the halftime break. 

Slowly but surely the Dragons chipped away at Malone's lead in the second-half. 

Tiffin had the deficit down to single digits at 60-52 with 10:21 still left to play in the game. TU got to within just three points two separate times, but Malone closed the game strong down the stretch. 

With the Pioneers clinging to a slim 66-63 lead, MU scored the next eight points of the contest unanswered to open up some breathing room. Justin Miller started the run with a three-pointer, and Bo Myers ended it with a free throw. 

The Dragons got back to within six points underneath the last minute, but Malone closed the game by making six of their last eight free throw attempts to come away with the 82-75 win.

DETAILS

• Bo Myers led Malone with 19 points. He also grabbed 10 rebounds to cap off his sixth double-double of the season. 
• Justin Miller added 16 points. He also dished out five assists, and pulled down 5 rebounds. 
• Freshman Brady Moore poured in a career-high 14 points. He was 6-7 from the field, including 2-3 from beyond the three-point line. 
• Levi Seiler's 12 points rounded out the double-digit scorers for Malone. 

WHAT'S NEXT
Malone advances to the semifinal round of the 2023 Great Midwest Men's Basketball Championship Tournament. The Pioneers will travel to the number one seed, Walsh University on Friday evening. 

Tip-off from North Canton is set for 5:30 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.