The Malone University men's basketball team improved to 3-1 on the season with a convincing 107-71 home triumph over Silver Lake College on Saturday evening.

The Pioneers jumped out to a 53-36 halftime lead after knocking down over 53% of their shot attempts over the first 20 minutes, including seven of 17 (41.2%) three-pointers.  The Lakers scored the opening bucket of the second half to make it 53-38, but it was all Malone from that point forward.

The hosts exceeded or matched their previous season highs for points, field-goal percentage (56.4%), three-pointers made (13), assists (24), and steals (12) while committing a season-low nine turnovers.

Of the nine Malone players that scored in the game, six reached double figures.  Guard Christian Graves led the way, matching his previous career high with 28 points.  Graves knocked down 11 of 18 field goals, including five of 11 treys and one of two free throws.  He also totaled three rebounds, three assists and three steals in 29 minutes of action.

Forward Mitchell Spotleson racked up a career-high 21 points.  Spotleson was extremely efficient, connecting on 9-of-10 shots from the floor with his only miss coming from beyond the three-point arc.  The sophomore also grabbed 10 rebounds and has now posted double-doubles in three of the Pioneers' first four regular-season games.

Malone Individual Highlights
-In addition to the impressive showings by Graves and Spotleson, guard Kyle Nader tallied 11 points, five rebounds and five assists off the bench
-Guard Stephen O'Daniel III posted 11 points and four assists
-Guard Jason Miller registered 10 points and three steals
-Forward Ben Evans notched 10 points
-Forward Neil Gingerich had seven points and nine rebounds
 
Silver Lake Individual Highlights
-Forward Pat Zemanovic recorded a team-high 14 points
-Canton native Tyler Wells had 10 points off the bench
-Guard Denzel Smith added 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists
 
Game Notes
-Malone scored 21 points off Silver Lake's 20 turnovers; the Lakers managed just two points off the Pioneers' nine turnovers
-Malone held a 41-29 edge on the boards
-Saturday's game marked the first 100-point performance for Malone since Nov. 19, 2013 in a 104-64 triumph over Ohio Christian University
-The 107 points marked the most the Pioneers had scored in a game since February 23, 2012 in a 117-73 victory over Salem International
 
 Up Next:  The Pioneers will begin Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play next week with a pair of games in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  Malone will face Michigan Tech University on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. before taking on Northern Michigan University on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.