Tiffin, OH-- On Thursday night, the Malone University men's basketball team (14-13,7-12 G-MAC) aimed to secure their fifth consecutive victory against Tiffin (16-11,10-9 G-MAC).

However, the Dragons dashed Malone's hopes, clinching a pivotal 76-68 win and putting an end to Malone's winning streak.

The Game
The game began with Malone asserting their dominance early on, establishing a solid lead behind the stellar play of Aaron Badibo. Badibo, a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor, showcased his versatility by notching an impressive double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds. His commanding presence in the paint kept Tiffin's defense on their toes and provided Malone with a much-needed offensive spark.

As the first half progressed, Malone continued to capitalize on their momentum, with Tahleik Walker and Simon Blair chipping in with crucial baskets to extend their lead. Walker's ability to penetrate the defense and finish at the rim, coupled with Blair's sharpshooting from beyond the arc, kept Tiffin's defense scrambling to find answers.

However, the Dragons refused to back down, mounting a comeback fueled by the sharpshooting of Wesley Jordan. Jordan's hot hand from three-point range ignited the Dragons' offense and injected new life into the game. With each long-range bomb, Tiffin slowly chipped away at Malone's lead, setting the stage for a thrilling second half.

As the teams emerged from the locker room, it was clear that the momentum had shifted in Tiffin's favor. With 16:17 remaining in the second half, Aaron Badibo found his way inside once again to put the Pioneers up 39-38. 

At the 9:46 mark, Simon Blair's impressive play narrowed the lead to just one point. However, it was at this crucial moment that the Dragons initiated a decisive 9-0 run, tipping the scales in their favor and effectively securing the victory. With the lead becoming insurmountable, any hopes of a comeback dwindled, resulting in a final score of 76-68.

Inside the Box Score

• Aaron Badibo contributed 26 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals in the game for Malone
• Simon Blair scored 15 points, shooting 5-14 from the field and 3-6 from beyond the arc. 
• Tahleik Walker contributed 12 points, shooting 5-7 from the field and making 1-2 three-pointers while grabbing 4 rebounds for Malone.

What's Next
Malone will travel to Northwood on Saturday (Mar. 2) for their final game of the season. The game is slated to tip-off at 3:00 PM


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