CANTON, Ohio – The Malone University men's basketball team hosted Hillsdale College on Saturday for the Pioneers' senior day. The seniors represented were Fraser LaRocque, Ryan Bartley, Tre Baumgardner III, Malik Frederick, Josh Smith, Simon Blair, and Tahleik Walker.

Malone was defeated by a score of 61-49. They now hold a 9-11 record in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) and 13-15 overall to end their regular season. The Chargers are now 13-7 in the conference and 19-9 overall.

The first half started with back-and-forth baskets from each team with points from Bartley and Blair for the Pioneers. Quickly after though, Hillsdale would take the lead 9-6 from a three-point basket. A three from Walker would shorten the Hillsdale lead to just three, 14-11. The Chargers would extend their lead to 23-12 by not letting Malone score for 4:17 minutes of game time. Shots from Bartley and Blair would help bring the Pioneers back with around seven minutes left in the half. A layup from Baumgardner III made it a one-point game, 25-24 with three minutes and change left. The score at the end of the first half was 34-28.

Blair came out strong to start the second half with an and-one. A three from Baumgardner III made it a one-possession game once more at 39-36. Hillsdale made multiple shots to extend their lead to double digits with only 43 seconds left on the clock. Baumgardner III was able to get a basket before the buzzer with 25 seconds to make the final score 61-49.

Leading scorers for Pioneers include Blair with 21 and Bartley with 12. Blair also ended the game with four assists. LaRocque was the leading rebounder for Malone with six total and Walker behind him with five. The Pioneers won in points in the paint with 34 compared to the Chargers' 24.

Malone has earned the seven seed in the G-MAC Tournament and will travel to Kentucky Wesleyan College on Tuesday, March 4 for the Quarterfinal round. Tip-off will be at 12:00 P.M. CST.