MIDLAND, Mich. - The Malone University men's basketball team (12-14, 8-10) traveled to Midland, Michigan to face the Northwood University Timberwolves (7-21, 4-16) on Saturday in a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) matchup. The Pioneers were able to withstand a late run to earn the road win, 78-71.
 
An early dunk by Northwood was overshadowed by a successful three-point field goals from Tre Baumgardner III and Ryan Bartley.  A pair of free throws by Simon Blair helped give Malone the lead 16-9 just after the first media timeout.
 
The gap was steady between two or three possessions for the Pioneers a majority of the first half and a three by Blair with 4:52 to go pushed the lead to double digits for the first time, 32-22. Baumgardner III was fouled while shooting a three and made two at the charity stripe to go up 41-30 at the break.
 
The lead grew to as many as 15 during the second half thanks to three-point buckets by Bartley and Jake Bruns. After the Bruns three with 6:27 to go, the Timberwolves began to creep their way back into the game. They would get as close as six with 34 seconds remaining, but the Pioneers made enough free throws down the stretch to clinch the 78-71 victory.
 
Malone created a gap in scoring thanks to efficiency from beyond the arc. The Pioneers were 10-of-24 (41.7%) from downtown and held Northwood to 5-of-19 (26.3%). A 43-9 advantage from bench points kept the Timberwolves competitive, but Malone was able to win the painted area 20-14.
 
Blair led the Pioneers in scoring with 26 points and he dished out a team-high four assists. Baumgardner III (18) and Bartley (17) rounded out double-figure scorers. Tahleik Walker grabbed 11 rebounds for the squad.
 
The final two regular season games very important in propelling Malone into the postseason. The first comes against Ohio Dominican University on Thursday, February 27 at 7:30 P.M.