CEDARVILLE, Ohio - The Pioneers traveled to Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) opponent Cedarville University and pulled off a 59-57 victory inside the Callan Athletic Center. The win improves Malone to 2-4 in conference and 6-8 overall while the Yellow Jackets fall to 7-6 overall and 2-4 in G-MAC competition.
 
The game was a close defensive battle with both teams trading blows throughout the contest. Cedarville's physicality in the paint was key to the home team taking the lead early in the first half. Malone's backcourt found ways to hit tough shots and generate offense through free throws. The Pioneers trailed at the break, 27-23.
 
Malone opened the second half on an 8-0 run to grab the momentum and the 31-27 lead. Senior guards Simon Blair and Tre Baumgardner III combined for 29 of Malone's 36 second half points. Each of them converted a pair of tough three-point plays during the scoring run.
 
The Pioneers were 16-of-21 at the free throw line (76.2%) on the night. Despite Cedarville's activity off the bench with 24 points from reserves, Malone's defense still managed to force critical stops grabbing big rebounds down the stretch to secure the narrow win on the road. Redshirt junior Caleb Conard led the way on the glass with 10 boards.
 
The Pioneers will continue G-MAC competition on this two-game road trip with a trip to Columbus to face the Ohio Dominican University Panthers on Saturday, February 11 at 3:00 P.M.