CANTON, Ohio - In Saturday's 111-55 victory over Villa Maria College (0-4), the Malone University men's basketball team (4-1) etched their names into the history books of a storied program. The Pioneers brought down 66 rebounds in the game, far and away more than the previous record of 57 in the NCAA Division II era history of the program. 111 points is also the third-most since 2011.
 
The Pioneers were clicking on all cylinders in this the first matchup between the two institutions. At the first media timeout, Malone led 15-4, with nine points coming on fastbreak opportunities. Emmanuel Oladeru swatted away a pair of shots during that span to impose the team's will defensively early in the game. Joey DeGeorge had six points during the scoring run.
 
The Pioneers built up a 31-7 lead in the first 12 minutes of action. After struggling to score in the first quarter of the contest, the Vikings of Villa Maria used pinpoint three-point shooting to cut the gap to 33-20. To counter the 13-2 run for the visiting squad, Malone used a 23-8 scoring spree to claim a 56-28 advantage at the break. DeGeorge threw down a dunk on the fastbreak and Nic Williams buried a three-point field goal in the final seconds of the period.
 
The Vikings kept pace in the opening minutes of the second half, but eventually only having seven available players caught up with the team and their energy level. The Pioneers took a 27-point lead and made it 47 from the 12-minute mark to under seven minutes to go with a 20-0 run.
 
The fresh legs of Kellen Leake, Tate Aljancic, Austin Niekamp and Nick Wigton propelled the team on offense and defense. Aljancic secured 12 total rebounds in the second half and Wigton netted 14 points in just nine minutes, including four three-point shots. Villa Maria scored some themselves in the waning moments, but it was no match for the overpowering offense of Malone in a 111-55 triumph.
 
Six total players scored in double figures, led by DeGeorge with 19. Wigton and Williams finished with 14 each, while Oladeru (12), Jacob Ernst (11) and Josiah Pierre (10) recorded double-digit scoring efforts. DeGeorge had a double-double with 11 rebounds for his total, however it was Aljancic who led the squad with 13 rebounds (six offensive). The Pioneers distributed the ball well for 22 assists on 42 made field goals.
 
Malone was in complete control of the game thanks to a 66-30 difference in rebounds, 24 of those coming on the offensive end of the floor. The Pioneers also punished the Vikings in the painted area for 66 points inside compared to Villa Maria's 30. A 25-4 difference in fast break points also helped Malone score easy points on the run. The Pioneers shot 54.5% (42-of-77) for the game and made a season-high nine shots from long range. The defense held the Vikings to just 29.3% (22-for-75) from the floor and 21.7% (5-for-23) from three.
 
Conference play begins for Malone in their next game versus Hillsdale College on Thursday, December 4. Tip-off in Canton, Ohio is scheduled for 7:30 P.M.