The Malone University men's basketball team lost on the road to Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) opponent Lake Superior State University (MI) Thursday night 71-52.

Lake Superior State would be the first one to jump on the board at the 19:28 mark in the first half. The score would remain close for the next five minutes as Malone was down 10-6 at the 15:58 mark. However, the Lakers would go on a 10-0 run in the next three and a half minutes to increase the lead to 20-6 with 11:09 left in the first.

Forward Neil Gingerich would make a layup at the 6:19 mark to jump start a 13-2 Pioneer scoring spurt that trimmed the Lake Superior State advantage to 26-24 with 2:31 left in the first. The Lakers answered with a pair of baskets and then, following a three-pointer by Malone guard Jason Miller, sank a pair of free throws with 10 seconds showing on the first-half clock to stretch their lead to 32-27 going into the break.

A lay-up by guard Jalen Miller and a three-pointer by guard Stephen O'Daniel III cut the deficit to 33-32 less than three minutes into the second period. Following a pair of LSSU free throws, the Poineers again pulled within one on a bucket by Gingerich.  Malone was unable to even things up though before the Lakers took command, using a 17-2 run to open up a 52-36 lead at the 11:41 mark. LSSU's hot hand would then continue as the hosts maintained a double-digit advantage the rest of the way.

O'Daniel III, Gingerich and guard Nate Sheppard each finished the evening with 12 points to lead the Pioneers. Both O'Daniel III and Gingerich contributed four rebounds. Guard Ben Haraway had a season-high eight rebounds while Jalen Miller contributed five rebounds and a team-high five assists.

The Pioneers will continue their trip to Michigan on Saturday as they play Northwood University at 7:00 p.m.