CANTON, Ohio – The Malone University men's basketball team secured their first conference win of the season, 63-57. The Pioneers hosted Hillsdale College for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) matchup. They are now 5-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference and the Chargers are now 2-4 overall and 0-1 in the G-MAC.
 
Malone started the game with a scoring run featuring baskets from Emmanuel Oladeru and Josiah Pierre to make the score 6-0. Hillsdale made a three with 17:08 on the clock but Nic Williams answered with a jumper to make the score 8-3. Layups from Logan Forbes and Pierre would put the Pioneers up by seven, 12-5. With 13:16 on the clock Joey DeGeorge was able to pull down an offensive rebound then get a good basket. The Chargers followed with a jumper and layup which made the score 14-11. With 1:06 left in the first half Hillsdale would put up back-to-back buckets to put them in the lead 21-20. Jacob Ernst answered to gain the Malone lead back but to end the half the Chargers would net a three putting them up 24-22 at the half.
 
To start the second half, Ernst hit a jumper just fifteen seconds in to tie the game at 24-24. A steal by DeGeorge led to a layup from Oladeru to put the Pioneers back in the lead. Hillsdale answered though with a jumper and layup to put them up 28-26. The lead went back and forth until 14:52 when Ernst hit a jumper to put Malone in the lead remainder of the game, 34-33. A scoring run from the Pioneers put them up by ten, 43-33. The run was highlighted by three triples from Williams, Jake Bruns and Forbes. The teams went basket-for-basket until 8:26 when the Chargers went on a run to attempt a comeback but the closest they got was 48-45. Again, the teams went back-and-forth until Hillsdale put fouls on Malone to give Williams four good free throws in a row to ice the 63-57 win.
 
The Pioneers shot 50.0% (26-for-52) from the field, 57.69% (15-for-26) in the second half. Williams led the team in points with 17, shooting 3-for-6 from the three-point line. Close behind him was Ernst and Oladeru each with 14. Pierre ended the game with 10 rebounds and Ernst with nine. Malone won in points off turnovers 11-7 and points in the paint 38-28. The Pioneers also won in fast break points 5-0.
 
Up next, Malone will host Tiffin University for the Toys for Tots game on Saturday, December 6. Tip off will be at 3:00 P.M. Bring in a new, unopened, and unwrapped toy to donate for free admission.