Archived Video BroadcastThe Malone University men's basketball team lost a heartbreaking double-overtime home contest to rivals Walsh University by the final score of 88-87 on Monday night.
The first half of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athlete Conference (GLIAC) contest was a low-scoring affair in that at the 10:23 mark, Walsh was ahead by one, 9-8. Walsh continued with the hot hands as they went on a 11-0 run during the next two minutes to increase the lead to 20-8. The momentum would switch gears as Malone then went on a 15-7 spurt, cutting the deficit to 27-23 at the 2:40 mark. The Pioneers scored nine points in the final two minutes, including a pair of made free throws by
Jalen Miller to go into the half with the 32-31 lead.
The Cavaliers wasted no time to get on the board, as they made a three to start the second half. For the next several minutes, it would be a back-and-forth battle of scoring before Walsh made a three pointer at the 16:26 mark to tie the game 38-38. However, Malone's
Mitch Spotleson drilled a three pointer, followed by a dunk from
Brian Stone to lift Malone ahead 43-38 at the 14:43 mark. A pair of back-to-back three pointers by
Nate Sheppard would increase Malone's lead to 61-49 with 8:29 on the clock. The Pioneers still led 69-61 with a little over three minutes to go before Walsh came charging back, outscoring Malone 10-2 in the final two minutes. The Cavs got clutch back-to-back three pointers by Jesse Hardin Jr. and two free throws by Zac Carter with 21 seconds left to send the game into its first overtime knotted 71-71.
Neil Gingerich would make a layup for the Pioneers a minute into the first overtime to take an early 73-71 lead. The final two minutes consisted of shooting free throws for both teams.
Jalen Miller made a free throw to get Malone ahead by three, 76-73, but then Walsh's LJ Campbell tipped in a rebound to bring the visitors within one.
Stephen O'Daniel III got fouled to send him to the free throw line with 25 seconds left. O'Daniel III drilled both free throws to put Malone up 78-75. However, Carter would nail a three pointer with seven seconds left to tie the game 78-78, sending both teams into double overtime.
Free throws and three-pointers played a major role in the second overtime. Walsh would make four straight free throws to take an 85-82 lead with 1:39 left on the clock. Moments later, Malone would make three-of-four at the stripe within a 15-second span to take an 87-86 lead. The two squads weren't done yet, as Haraway would pick up his fifth foul, sending Walsh's LJ Campbell to the line with six seconds remaining. Campbell drilled both free throws to put Walsh on top 88-87. Malone had an opportunity to score in the final seconds, but Walsh batted away the shot attempt as time expired, sealing the 88-87 victory.
Ben Haraway paced the Pioneers with 31 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. His 31 points matched a season-high, while he also set a Malone all-time record at the free throw line by going a perfect 19-for-19, which is the most made without a miss. In addition, Haraway's 19 made free throws tied a Pioneer single-game record (Three other players have made 19 in Malone men's basketball history). O'Daniel III added 12 points and six rebounds, while Stone and Sheppard chipped in 11 points. Spotleson and Stone each contributed seven rebounds.
Led by Haraway's record-breaking performance, Malone shot an incredible 90.6% at the foul line, draining 29 of 32 attempts.
The leading scorer for Walsh was Trey Fletcher with 22. Carter, Hardin Jr., and Campbell all finished with 16 points.
The Pioneers will head on the road to face conference opponent Lake Erie College on Thursday, February 5
th at 7:30 p.m.
Live audio (ESPN 990 AM) and
stats are available for Thursday's game.