Box Score

A strong offensive performance sparked the Malone University men's basketball team to an 84-75 home victory over Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponent Ashland University Saturday afternoon. 

The Pioneers completed a season sweep of the Eagles with the win as Malone had previously pocketed a 95-81 victory at Ashland's Kates Gymnasium on January 18.  Malone's record improved to 11-10 overall and 9-8 in GLIAC play following Saturday's triumph while Ashland fell to 9-12 overall and 6-11 in the conference.

Good shooting and solid defense put the Pioneers up 36-22 at the half as Malone closed out the final nine minutes of the period on an 18-5 scoring run.  The Pioneers hit 13 of 25 field goals, including three of their five three-pointers, in the opening frame.  The Eagles, meanwhile, managed to shoot just 35% (eight of 23) from the field and hit only one of seven treys over the first 20 minutes.  Malone's bench play was a major factor in the hosts' first-half success as Stephen O'Daniel III, Jason Miller, Daniel Wise and Vince Kazmierczak combined for 17 points. 

Ashland remained within striking distance in the second half but could get no closer than seven as the Pioneers' offense continued to improve as the game went on.  Malone put the finishing touches on the victory by shooting 65% from the field and 62.5% from deep during the final stanza. 

Overall, the Pioneers made 26 of 45 (57.8%) shots from the field, eight of 13 (61.5%) attempts from beyond the arc and 24 of 28 (85.7%) free throws.  Ashland countered by draining 24 of 51 (47.1%) shots from the floor, four of 13 (30.8%) attempts from three-point land and 23 of 29 (79.3%) from the line.  Ashland held a 29 to 24 edge on the glass, including a 12-4 advantage in offensive rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome Malone's efficiency on the offensive end of the floor.  

Guard Isiah Elliott led the way for the Pioneers with a game-high 27 points.  The senior knocked down seven of 12 shots from the field, while going 2-for-2 from beyond the arc and 11-of-13 at the line.  He also handed out four assists, grabbed three steals and yanked down three rebounds.  Wise provided a big lift off the bench, adding 14 points and a team-high six boards.  Forward Cory Veldhuizen and Guard Che Richardson would both end the afternoon with 10 points. 

Brook Turson paced four Eagles in double figures with 16 points.  Will Evans added14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. 

The Pioneers will hit the road this Thursday as they travel to Tiffin University (8-13 overall, 4-12 GLIAC) for an 8:00 p.m. tip-off against the Dragons.  Malone defeated Tiffin 89-84 in the last meeting between the two teams which took place at Osborne Hall January 23.  Fans can hear all of the action live on the Malone Sports Network (radio broadcast on ESPN 990 AM and streaming live audio at http://www.espn990.com).

The four newest inductees to the Malone Athletics Hall of Fame – Dave Drummond '93 (tennis), Christian Silveira '02 (football), Amy Stefansic '02 (basketball) and Megan (Young) Grafton '01 (soccer, track & field) – were recognized at halftime of Saturday's game.  The Hall of Fame Banquet followed on Saturday evening.