The Malone University men's basketball team defeated Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) opponent Tiffin University on the road Thursday night 68-62.

A three-pointer by Mitch Spotleson at the 19:18 mark would spark the Pioneers, as they would jump out to an early 8-3 lead. During the next several minutes, the score would go back-and-forth between the two teams until a three-point play by Tiffin's Zack Riddle with 6:22 showing on the first-half clock got the ball rolling on a 14-0 Dragon run that made the score 35-22 with 1:38 left in the first. Guard Stephen O'Daniel III answered for the visitors, draining back-to-back-to-back three pointers in the final 90 seconds of the opening stanza to cut the deficit 40-31 going into the half.     

The Pioneers would start the second half going on an 8-2 run with starting center Brian Stone scoring six of the points to cut the deficit 42-39. After Tiffin pushed its advantage back to seven, Spotleson hit a jumper and then a trey on consecutive trips down the floor to pull Malone within 48-46 with under 10 minutes to play.

A minute later, Stone was fouled while going to the basket on a made lay-up, sending him to the free throw line. Stone would convert the three-point play to tie the game 49-49 with 8:21 left on the clock. Malone then took command of the contest over the next six minutes, holding the Dragons scoreless while stretching its lead to as many as 10 points.

Tiffin ended the drought with a bucket at the 2:01 mark and then cut into the deficit with a pair of Riddle three-pointers.  However, it  wasn't enough as the Pioneers went on to record the third victory in their last four games.

Malone had four players finish in double-digits. O'Daniel III matched his career-high with 16 points. Spotleson posted a season-high 15 points, Stone tallied 13 points, and Ben Haraway netted 12 points.  Stone also yanked down a career-high 16 rebounds, giving the 6'8 center the first double-double of his career. 

Stone's big night helped Malone maintain a substantial edge on the boards as the Pioneers out-rebounded Tiffin by a commanding 41-29 margin.

Alex Brown recorded a game-high 19 points for the Dragons.  Riddle finished the night with 17 points.

Malone returns home to resume conference play against Ohio Dominican University on Saturday, January 24^th at 3:00 p.m. Live video and stats will be available.