Playing its best basketball of the season, the Malone University men's basketball team put together an impressive 40 minutes of play at GLIAC opponent Grand Valley State University (MI) on Saturday afternoon and posted an 81-61 victory.
 
The much-needed win snapped the Pioneers' eight-game losing streak and placed the team's record at 4-10 overall and 2-6 in GLIAC play.  The Lakers, with the loss, fell to 8-6 overall and to 4-4 in the GLIAC.
 
The home loss for the Lakers was their first of the season and the 20-point margin was their worst defeat at home since the University of Findlay beat them by 21 points on Dec. 13, 2008 (68-47).
 
Malone converted on an impressive 54.8% of its field goal attempts while GVSU connected on just 32.2%.  The Pioneers also held a commanding edge in three-pointers made as both teams attempted exactly 20 shots but Malone hit 10 of them to the Lakers' three.
 
Early in the contest, the Pioneers held an 8-2 lead with 13:52 remaining in the first half but the hosts quickly cut the lead to 11-10 with 7:06 left in the period.  At that point, though, Malone established strong control of the contest by going on a 15-0 run, which included guard Nate Sheppard drilling three straight three-point shots, to go up by 16 points at 26-10.  The margin remained nearly the same for the rest of the half as Malone held a 34-17 lead at the intermission.
 
An 8-0 run by Malone to start the second half kept the Laker fans in shock and extended Malone's lead to 42-17 with 17:39 left in the game.  With matching 29-point leads (the largest of the game) of 49-20 at the 13:59 mark and 62-33 with just 7:03 remaining, the Pioneers never allowed the Lakers an opportunity to get back in the contest as Malone went on to tally the 20-point, 81-61 victory over GVSU.
 
For Malone, guard Ben Haraway led all scorers with a game-best 24 points, including a 12-for-14 effort at the foul line. Haraway also registered five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Guard Stephen O'Daniel III followed with 16 points while hitting four of seven three-point attempts and also posting seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
 
Sheppard recorded 14 points as he went 5-of-7 from the field, including an impressive 4-of-6 performance from long range. Center Brian Stone also hit twin figures with 13 points. In addition, guard Jalen Miller added eight points and also a team-best eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.
 
For GVSU, Luke Ryskamp led the team in scoring with 19 points while Ricardo Carbajal paced the Lakers in rebounds with a game-high 11.
 
Malone will next compete in a home GLIAC contest against Lake Erie College (5-7, 2-6 GLIAC) on Thursday at 8:00 p.m.  Live stats will be available for this game.