Box Score

Senior Isiah Elliott scored a career-high 37 points and the Malone University men's basketball team (4-3, 2-2 GLIAC) upended the Northwood University (MI) Timberwolves 84-77 at Osborne Hall on Saturday afternoon.

Elliott asserted himself from the opening tip, setting up sophomore Brian Stone for a layup on the game's opening possession and setting the tone for the day. Northwood (7-3, 3-1 GLIAC) did everything in its power to slow down the First Team All-GLIAC guard, rotating defenders and defensive looks, but nothing worked. He finished 13-18 from the field, 5-8 from three-point range, and 6-7 from the free-throw line to best his previous career-high of 33, which he set last season in a win over Saginaw Valley State University (MI), by four points.

It was an Elliott three-pointer with 15:04 remaining in the first half that gave the Pioneers a 12-11 lead; the Timberwolves would not regain the lead for the remaining 35 minutes. Malone was up 42-31 at the half but the visitors were able to cut the margin to three on two different occasions. Both times Elliott made plays on the next possession to ensure the Timberwolves would get no closer. The Pioneers then used a critical 12-2 run midway through the second stanza to give themselves their biggest lead of the game at 67-53. Northwood managed to stick around with its three-point shooting, but Malone made enough plays down the stretch to secure the win, snapping the Timberwolves' six-game winning streak..

Although Elliott's performance was the main talking point, the Pioneers also received solid contributions from senior Vince Kazmierczak and sophomore Christian Graves, both of whom finished with 14 points. The 14 bench points from Kazmierczak, on 5-7 shooting, were a season-high and only one off of his career-high. Dylan Langkabel led Northwood with 20 points.

Malone shot 27-57 (47.4%) from the field and 11-25 (44.0%) from deep. Northwood was a solid 47.6% on field goals and 40.9% from three, while Malone won the rebounding battle 34-33.

The Pioneers have a week off before hosting a non-conference game vs. Lewis University (IL) next Saturday, December 21, at 1:00 p.m.  Live statistics will be provided during the contest at http://livestats.prestosports.com/malone/