MIDLAND, Mich. - In a hard-fought battle, the Malone University men's basketball team ran out of gas at Northwood University in a 68-61 loss. The Pioneers fall to 10-4 overall and 3-3 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) action after they were outscored 37-25 in the second half. The Timberwolves are an identical 10-4 but stand at 5-2 in conference play.
 
Turnovers hurt the Pioneers early in the road contest with four in as many minutes to fall behind 10-6. Nic Williams drove the lane for an and-one, buried a triple and faded away for two to swing momentum back to Malone at 16-15 at the under-12 media timeout.
 
Emmanuel Oladeru worked inside the opposing zone defense for a dunk to extend the lead just before the halfway mark in the first half and rocked the rim again a few moments later to go up five, 23-18. The defenses on both sides settled in and forced tough shots, but successful three-point shooting for the Timberwolves allowed the home team to stay in it.
 
In the closing minutes of the first, Kellen Leake and Oladeru made field goals and Crew Cain stepped to the free throw line for two for a 6-0 run to close the half. The Pioneers led 36-31 and held Northwood to 11-of-28 (39.3%) from the field in the period. Malone was 14-for-29 (48.3%) themselves to claim the advantage.
 
Jacob Ernst helped to bring the lead to double digits at 50-39 by settling the offense after Oladeru found himself in foul trouble. The team made five of their first six field goals in the second half to extend the gap. The Timberwolves would get to within one possession, but a three-ball by Williams kept the Pioneers in the driver's seat at 55-52 with 7:27 remaining.
 
A six-minute dry spell provided the opportunity for Northwood to regain the lead via a corner three with 5:39 to go. In that time, the Timberwolves went on an 11-0 run and claimed a 61-55 lead with two minutes in the ballgame.
 
Josiah Pierre was the man Head Coach Charlie Wallrapp turned to when they needed points late and he converted two free throws and a tough jumper inside, but it was not enough in the 68-61 loss. Northwood made their free throws down the stretch and got the stops they needed to secure the win and remain atop the conference standings.
 
The trio of Williams (14 points), Pierre (13 points) and Oladeru (10 points) were double-digit scorers for Malone. Ernst grabbed a team-high six rebounds and Cain was credited with five of the team's seven total assists.
 
A 17-11 difference in turnovers was key in giving Northwood just enough shots to pull ahead despite similar shooting percentages on the night. The Timberwolves also held a slight edge on the boards, 38-32, 16 of those offensive rebounds for the home team.
 
The defending regular season champions of the G-MAC in the University of Findlay will enter Osborne Hall for the Pioneers' next game on Saturday, January 10. Tip-off is slated for 3:00 P.M.