CANTON, Ohio – The Malone University men's basketball team hosted Tiffin University on Thursday night for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) matchup. The Dragons finished on top by a final score of 65-57 to make them 7-18 overall and 5-12 in the conference. The Pioneers are now 7-10 in the G-MAC and 11-14 overall.

Starting the first half, Simon Blair scored the first four points with a pair of layups. Tiffin would gain the lead off a dunk quickly after. A dunk from Ryan Bartley and three from Blair helped to cut into the Dragons' lead but Tiffin quickly countered. Bartley added on with jumper and three in the 31-17 first half.

Caleb Conard started the second half with a jump shot in the paint. Bartley with another dunk in the second half helped Malone start a comeback. Tahleik Walker shortened the Dragons lead to single digits at 37-28. Tre Baumgardner III knocked down a three and then layup to trim the deficit to four, 37-33, with 11:04 on the clock.

Shots from Bartley helped keep the Pioneers in the game. He had 13 points from that point on in the second half. To close, Tiffin was able to hold their lead at the free throw line after a huge three-point field goal pushed the lead back up to eight with one minute remaining. An and-one by Blair and layup by Conard was not enough in the closing minutes of a 65-57 loss.

Bartley was Malone's leading scorer with 23 points and seven rebounds. Blair ended the game with 14 points and Conard led with nine rebounds. The Pioneers won in points off turnovers 15-10, second chance points 6-1, and points in the paint 32-26.

Malone travels to Northwood University for another conference matchup on Saturday, February 22. Tip-off time is at 3:00 P.M.