HILLSDALE, Mich. – A tough environment at (RV) Hillsdale College was too much to overcome for the Malone University men's basketball team. The Pioneers came up short in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) action 71-59.
 
The loss drops Malone to 3-5 on the season and 0-2 inside the conference. The Chargers start the year red hot at 8-1 overall and 2-0 in the league.
 
Hillsdale shot 50.9% (28-for-55) on their home floor while the Pioneers were limited to 43.9% (25-for-57) and just 4-of-22 from three-point range. Malone had more points in the paint, 36-30.
 
A change in the starting lineup appeared fruitful as Jake Bruns buried a three prior to the first media timeout, but an 8-0 run for the Chargers after that make put the home team in front 13-6. Ed Wright II led an 8-0 run for the Pioneers to reclaim the lead, but that two-point edge would not last.
 
The Chargers closed the first half by scoring eight of the final ten points from both teams and entered the locker room with a double-digit edge, 42-32.
 
Caleb Conard made his presence known inside early in the second half, highlighted by a dunk off the offensive glass. A layup by Ryan Bartley a few minutes later made it a one-possession game at 11:52 left to go, but Hillsdale would retain the lead. A Bartley three with less than two minutes to play kept Malone in striking distance at 67-59, but the team was unable to complete the comeback at 71-59.
 
Tre Baumgardner III was the team leader with 15 points in the loss. Conard and Wright II had 12 each to finalize double-figure scorers. Conard and Tahleik Walker brought down five rebounds apiece to lead the Pioneers.
 
On Saturday, December 14, Malone travels to Lake Erie College to face the Storm at 3:00 P.M.