Strong Second-Half Performance Helps Roberts Wesleyan Snap Malone’s Eight-Game Winning Streak

The Malone University men’s basketball team had its streak of eight consecutive victories come to an end on Saturday afternoon at Osborne Hall as visiting Roberts Wesleyan (NY) College overcame a 53-41 halftime deficit, out-scoring the Pioneers 51-23 over the final 20 minutes to record a 92-76 American Mideast Conference triumph.  After allowing Malone to hit nearly 50% of its field goal attempts in the first half, including six of 11 (54.5%) three pointers, the Raiders clamped down on the defensive end in the final stanza, forcing 12 Pioneer turnovers while limiting the hosts to just 22.6% (seven of 31) shooting from the field during the second period, including only 7.7% (one of 13) from beyond the three-point arc.  Malone’s record dropped to 12-13 overall and 8-5 in the AMC with the tough defeat while Roberts Wesleyan improved to 13-10 overall and 6-6 in the conference.

The Pioneers led by as many as 18 points with 2 ½ minutes to play in the opening stanza.  Roberts Wesleyan cut the deficit to 12 at intermission and then opened the second frame on a 26-8 scoring run to grab a 67-61 advantage with 9:52 showing on the clock.  A tip-in by Malone guard Cody Miller (So., Lake Center Christian H.S.) on the Pioneers’ next possession cut the deficit to four at 67-63, but the hosts got no closer the rest of the way as the Raiders pulled away for the win.

On the afternoon, Malone knocked down 35.5% (22 of 62) of its field-goal tries, 29.2% (seven of 24) of its three-pointers, and 89.3% (25 of 28) of its free throws.  Roberts Wesleyan countered by sinking 33 of its 55 (60.0%) field goals, two of its seven (28.6%) threes and 24 of its 32 (75.0%) foul shots.  The Raiders trailed by a narrow 34-32 margin in total rebounds but also outscored the Pioneers 48-16 in the paint and held a 20-5 advantage in fast-break points.

Junior forward Nick Watts (Holland, MI) paced five Pioneers in double figures with 18 points.  Junior forward Ebiowei Porbeni (pictured above; Plainfield, IL) followed with 12 points, a team-high seven rebounds, two blocks, and two assists.  Sophomore guard Eric Coblentz (Lake H.S.) tossed in 11 points and dished out four assists.  Junior forward Jock Rottman (Triway H.S.) also posted 11 while junior guard Kyle Higgins (Columbus West H.S.) totaled 10 points.  Center Alif Bland made his presence felt inside for the Raiders as he registered game-highs of 24 points, 15 rebounds and six blocked shots.

The Pioneers will look to bounce back on Tuesday as they host NAIA Division II #2 Walsh University (23-2 overall, 11-1 AMC) at 7:30 p.m.  The Cavaliers entered Saturday with a 1 ½ game lead on Cedarville University for first place in the AMC South Division standings.  Malone, meanwhile, remains in second place in the AMC North, 1 ½ games in front of both Roberts Wesleyan and  Daemen (NY) College, who are currently tied for third.  Streaming audio, video and statistics will all be available over the internet for Tuesday’s game (click here for links to each).  In addition, the contest will also be broadcast on the radio at WNPQ 95.9 FM.

Playoff Picture: The top three teams from the AMC North Division and the top three teams from the AMC South Division will qualify for postseason play.  Two automatic bids will be awarded to the NAIA Division II National Tournament from this six-team playoff field. 

With an 8-5 conference record and three AMC games remaining on its schedule, Malone is currently second in the North Division standings.

Notes: Roberts Wesleyan’s 60% shooting on Saturday marked the highest field-goal percentage compiled by a Malone opponent so far this season…The Pioneers had held their opponents under 60 points in six straight games prior to the Raiders’ 92-point outburst on Saturday.

AMC Men's Basketball Standings

Early Second-Half Spurt Keys Roberts Wesleyan To 69-62 Triumph Over Pioneers

The Malone University women’s basketball team fell 69-62 at home to Roberts Wesleyan (NY) College in American Mideast Conference play on Saturday afternoon as the Raiders used a 21-4 scoring run in the opening minutes of the second stanza to overcome a 33-25 halftime deficit.  Pioneer guard Amy Kittle (pictured left; Jr., Buckeye Trail H.S.) nailed a three-pointer on Malone’s opening possession of the final stanza to give the hosts their largest lead of the game at 36-25.  However, Roberts Wesleyan then stormed back into the contest, using its big scoring spurt to pull in front 46-40 with 10:42 remaining.  The Pioneers managed to keep the game close the rest of the way, twice cutting the deficit to three, but Malone was unable to completely recover from the Raiders’ big surge as Roberts Wesleyan went on to record the six-point triumph.  The loss dropped Malone’s record to 4-22 overall and 1-14 in the conference while the Raiders improved to 12-13 overall and 6-9 in the AMC.

After making just 24.1% (seven of 29) of its first-half field goals, Roberts Wesleyan got its offense on track in the second stanza, hitting 43.8% (14 of 32) of its shots from the floor over the final 20 minutes to end the game with an overall shooting percentage of 34.4% (21 of 61).  The Raiders also shot 28.6% (six of 21) from three-point range and 70.0% (21 of 30) from the foul line over the course of the afternoon.  Malone countered by knocking down 22 of 63 (34.9%) shots from the field, seven of 23 (30.4%) threes, and 11 of 17 (64.7%) foul shots.  Roberts Wesleyan trailed 46-42 in total rebounds but also scored 20 points off 18 Pioneer turnovers.

Kittle ended the night with 20 points, nine rebounds and four assists.  Junior forward Allyson Wilson (Firestone H.S.) followed with 12 points, a game-high 15 rebounds, and three assists.  Freshman forward Tara Kies (Cloverleaf H.S.) added nine points while sophomore guard Kelly Anatra (Mansfield St. Peter’s H.S.) contributed eight points, six boards, and three steals.  Roberts Wesleyan was led by guard Marissa Bunce, who scored 22 of her game-high 28 points in the second half.

The Pioneers will look to rebound on Tuesday evening when they host a 5:30 p.m. contest against NAIA Division II #24 Walsh University (18-7 overall, 11-3 AMC).  Free live streaming video and statistics will be available over the internet for Tuesday’s game (click here for links to each).    

Track & Field Teams Compete At Findlay Div. II Challenge

The Malone University men’s and women’s track & field teams competed at the University of Findlay NCAA Div. II Challenge last Friday and Saturday as the Pioneer women’s team finished tied for 10^th among 19 teams at the meet while the Malone men’s squad placed 13^th among 20 teams.  The teams’ placements would have been higher had it not been for the fact that a number of Malone athletes who were scheduled to compete, and travel, on Saturday did not make the trip due to the weather.

The top performance of the day for the women’s team was an NAIA auto qualifying time by the distance medley relay team of Caitlin Sharp (So., East Canton H.S.), Amanda Theis (Jr., Seneca East H.S.), Kayleigh Bildstein (Jr., Madison H.S.) and Lindsey Pifher (Jr., Colonel Crawford H.S.) who ran a time of 12:30.80 (7^th place).

Other strong efforts for the women included Tynae Wilson (So., Fort Wayne, IN), Hannah Hartzler (Fr., Norwayne H.S.) and Gabrielle Wuensch (Jr., New London H.S.), who finished 4^th (18:44.29), 6^th (18:58.21) and 8^th (19:17.02), respectively, in the 5000 meters and Laura Page (So., Stow H.S.) who posted a personal best in the pole vault at 10’ 0”. 

For the men’s team, Paul Robinson (Sr., Field H.S.) captured first-place in the 5000 meters in a time of 14:53.09 while Tony Migliozzi (So., St. Thomas Aquinas H.S.) placed 10^th (15:52.58) and Jeremy Arthur (So., Medina H.S.) finished 13^th (16:09.31).

In addition, Kyle Wagner (Fr., Green H.S.) and Shane McLaughlin (Sr., Caldwell H.S.) finished third and fourth, respectively, in the heptathlon with 4295 and 4085 points.

Pioneers Grind Out 63-55 Victory Over Daemen To Stretch Winning Streak To Eight Games

The Malone University men’s basketball team continued its late-season surge on Friday evening at Osborne Hall as the squad recorded its eighth consecutive victory with a hard-fought 63-55 American Mideast Conference triumph over visiting Daemen (NY) College.  The contest, which featured seven ties and seven lead changes, remained close from start to finish as the Pioneers’ eight-point advantage in the final moments marked the largest lead for either team.  An old-fashioned three-point play by Malone forward Nick Watts (pictured left; Jr., Holland, MI) put the Pioneers on top 54-48 with a little over two minutes remaining.  The Wildcats split a pair of free throws and then added a dunk during their next two possessions to cut the deficit to three at 54-51 with 1:23 to play.  However, Daemen was unable to get any closer the rest of the way as Malone sealed the win by hitting nine of 12 free throws over the final 63 seconds.  With the victory, the Pioneers avenged a 94-67 loss at Daemen on January 8th and improved their record to 12-12 overall and 8-4 in the AMC.  The Wildcats, meanwhile, dropped to 14-10 overall and 6-5 in the conference with the tough defeat.  

Malone, which entered Friday’s match-up with a ½ game lead on Daemen for second place in the AMC North Division standings, took a 29-26 lead to the locker room at intermission and then remained in front until the 6:49 mark of the second half when a layup by Wildcat guard Jorge Ebanks gave the visitors their first and only advantage of the second stanza at 43-42.  A three-point play by Pioneer forward Jock Rottman (Jr., Triway H.S.) quickly put the hosts back in front 45-43. Daemen would tie it on its next trip down the floor before clutch back-to-back three-pointers by Malone guards Cody Miller (So., Lake Center Christian H.S.) and Eric Coblentz (So., Lake H.S.) gave the Pioneers the lead for good.

Malone’s strong shooting from beyond the three-point arc and at the foul line proved to be the difference as the Pioneers knocked down 18 of 22 (81.8%) free throws and 19 of 46 (41.3%) shots from the floor, including seven of 13 (53.8%) tries from three-point range.  Daemen made eight of 10 (80.0%) foul shots and 23 of 55 (41.8%) field goals but was ice-cold from beyond the arc, making just one of its 17 (5.9%) treys.

Coblentz paced the hosts with 17 points and five boards.  Junior guard Kyle Higgins (Columbus West H.S.) followed with 11.  Watts and Rottman each provided a lift off the bench as Watts totaled 11 points and a team-high six rebounds while Rottman notched eight points.  Forward Devon Dawson led the way for the Wildcats with 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Malone will look to make it nine in a row on Saturday afternoon when it hosts Roberts Wesleyan (NY) College (12-10 overall, 5-6 AMC) in a 4:00 p.m. contest.  The Raiders, who lost at Walsh University 79-43 on Friday evening, are currently in fourth place in the AMC North standings, 2 ½ games behind the second-place Pioneers.  Streaming audio, video and statistics will all be available over the internet for Saturday’s game (click here for links to each).  In addition, the contest will also be broadcast on the radio at WNPQ 95.9 FM.

Playoff Picture: The top three teams from the AMC North Division and the top three teams from the AMC South Division will qualify for postseason play.  Two automatic bids will be awarded to the NAIA Division II National Tournament from this six-team playoff field. 

With an 8-4 conference record and four AMC games remaining on its schedule, Malone is currently second in the North Division standings, now just 1 ½  games behind first-place Notre Dame (OH) College.

Notes:The Pioneers’ eight-game winning streak is the longest string of consecutive Malone victories since the 1998-1999 season when the squad won nine straight…The Pioneers entered Friday’s contest leading the AMC in free-throw shooting with an overall percentage of 74.0%...Malone also entered Friday leading the conference in three-pointers made with 192…Coblentz entered Friday’s game as the AMC’s leader in both free-throw percentage (88.5%) and three-pointers made (73).

AMC Men's Basketball Standings

Daemen Withstands Late Malone Comeback Attempt En Route To 83-69 Victory

The Malone University women’s basketball team went on a 24-6 scoring run in the latter stages of Friday’s home contest against Daemen (NY) College but the Pioneers’ late surge was not enough to overcome the Wildcats’ 25-point second-half advantage as the visitors went on to record an 83-69 American Mideast Conference victory.  Daemen was up 43-29 at the half and then stretched its lead to what appeared to be a commanding 68-43 margin with 9:19 remaining.  However, Malone refused to surrender, fighting back to within 74-67 with a little over two minutes to play before the Wildcats put the contest out of reach by hitting nine of their final 10 free throws.  Daemen improved to 13-10 overall and 9-4 in the AMC with the victory while the loss dropped the Pioneers to 4-21 overall and 1-13 in the conference.

On the evening, Malone connected on 26 of 64 (40.6%) field-goal attempts, six of 15 (40.0%) three-pointers, and all 11 of its free throws.  Daemen countered by converting on 28 of 56 (50%) shots from the floor, six of 18 (33.3%) threes and 21 of 24 (87.5%) foul shots.  The Wildcats also out-scored Malone 42-24 in the paint and held a 38-27 advantage in total rebounds. 

Junior guard Amy Kittle (Buckeye Trail H.S.) led the way for the Pioneers with 15 points and four assists.  Junior guards Allyson Wilson (pictured above; Firestone H.S.) and Ashley Speicher (Plymouth H.S.) each followed with 14 points and three steals.  Wilson also pulled down seven rebounds and, with two made free throws just before halftime, moved into the Top 25 on the Malone women’s basketball all-time scoring list.  Wilson has now registered 813 career points, which ranks as the 24th highest scoring total in Pioneer women’s history.

Other Pioneer contributors included sophomore guard Kelly Anatra (Mansfield St. Peter’s H.S.), freshman forward Tara Kies (Cloverleaf H.S.) and junior forward Alison Schloz (St. Ursula Academy), who all posted eight points apiece.  Forward Sarah Soroka paced Daemen with 22 points and eight boards.

Malone will return to action on Saturday afternoon with a 2:00 p.m. home contest against Roberts Wesleyan (NY) College (11-13 overall, 5-9 AMC).  Free live streaming video and statistics will be available over the internet for Saturday’s game (click here for links to each). 

Malone Makes It Seven In A Row With Thrilling 56-55 Triumph Over Notre Dame

The Malone University men’s basketball team stretched its winning streak to seven games on Tuesday evening at Osborne Hall as the squad hung on for a thrilling 56-55 American Mideast Conference victory against visiting Notre Dame (OH) College.  The Falcons, who entered the contest with a three-game lead on the Pioneers in the AMC North Division standings, held a 53-50 advantage with just over 2 ½ minutes to play in regulation.  However, Pioneer guard Kyle Higgins (pictured left; Jr., Columbus West H.S.) led Malone back by hitting clutch three-pointers on consecutive trips down the floor to put his squad in front 56-53 with 1:21 showing on the clock.  Notre Dame guard Al Miller answered with a pull-up jumper on the Falcons next possession to trim the deficit to 56-55 with just over a minute remaining.  After calling a timeout following a missed Pioneer shot, Notre Dame ran down the clock for one last attempt but guard Nick McCartney’s potential game-winner clanged off the rim as the buzzer sounded, giving Malone the thrilling, one-point triumph.  The Pioneers improved to 11-12 overall and 7-4 in the AMC with the hard-fought victory while Notre Dame saw its five-game winning streak snapped as the visitors fell to 17-7 overall and 9-2 in the conference.

Malone held a 26-15 advantage with 4 ½ minutes to go in the opening stanza but the Falcons then outscored the Pioneers 7-1 over the remainder of the period to trim the hosts’ lead to 27-22 at intermission.   Malone’s advantage twice grew back to 10 points before Notre Dame went on a 10-0 scoring run to knot the game at 43-43 with less than seven minutes on the clock.  A lay-up by Pioneer sophomore guard Eric Coblentz (Lake H.S.) ended the Malone drought but the Falcons then managed to take their first lead of the game at 46-45 following a Miller three at the 5:10 mark of the second half.  Notre Dame maintained its slim advantage over the next few minutes before Higgins’ clutch treys put the Pioneers on top for good.

Both teams played tough defense throughout the contest as Malone connected on 20 of 58 (34.5%) shots from the field, nine of 29 (31.0%) three-pointers, and seven of 10 (70.0%) free throws.  Notre Dame countered by hitting 16 of 48 (33.3%) field-goal tries, two of 10 (20.0%) threes, and 21 of 30 (70.0%) foul shots.  The Falcons held a slim 40-35 advantage in total rebounds and outscored Malone 20-14 in the paint.  However, the Pioneers registered 15 points off 11 NDC turnovers while also ending the night with a 16-5 advantage in assists.

Coblentz paced Malone with 16 points and five assists.  Higgins was a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the three-point arc during the final four minutes of the game, ending the night with 12 points.  Junior forward Ebiowei Porbeni (Plainfield, IL) added eight points and five rebounds, senior guard Jeremy Duerr (Lake H.S.) notched six points and three steals, while junior forward Nick Watts (Holland, MI) came off the bench to tally six points and a team-high six boards.  Forward Eric Dummermuth led the Falcons with 17 points and 14 rebounds.

Malone will look to make it eight in a row on Friday evening as the squad continues conference play with a 7:30 p.m. contest against Daemen (NY) College (14-9 overall, 6-4 AMC).  The Wildcats are currently in third place in the AMC North Division standings, a ½ game behind the second-place Pioneers.  Streaming video and statistics will be available over the internet for Friday’s game (click here for links to each).

Playoff Picture: The top three teams from the AMC North Division and the top three teams from the AMC South Division will qualify for postseason play.  Two automatic bids will be awarded to the NAIA Division II National Tournament from this six-team playoff field. 

With a 7-4 conference record and five AMC games remaining on its schedule, Malone is currently second in the North Division standings, now just two games behind Notre Dame.

Notes: The Pioneers’ seven-game winning streak matches the longest string of consecutive victories since the 1998-1999 season when the squad won nine straight…Malone also put together seven-game winning streaks during the 2007-2008, 2006-2007, and 2001-2002 seasons…Tuesday marked the sixth time this year that the Pioneers have been involved in a game decided by two points or less.

AMC Men's Basketball Standings

Big Second-Half Surge Lifts Notre Dame Over Pioneers

The Malone University women’s basketball team fell at home on Tuesday evening to Notre Dame (OH) College as the visiting Falcons outscored the Pioneers 39-20 in the second half to pull away for a 73-54 American Mideast Conference victory.  The contest was knotted 34-34 at intermission before Notre Dame went on a 18-0 scoring run midway through the final stanza to put the game out of reach.  The loss dropped Malone’s record to 4-20 overall and 1-12 in the AMC while the Falcons improved to 14-8 overall and 10-4 in the conference.

The Pioneers fell behind 26-13 midway through the opening frame but then fought back into the game by outscoring NDC 21-8 over the final eight minutes of the half.  Junior guard Amy Kittle (Buckeye Trail H.S.) opened the second period by hitting a pair of free throws to put Malone in front by two but Notre Dame quickly answered back, notching 10 straight points to grab a 44-36 lead.  A jumper by junior forward Alison Schloz (St. Ursula Academy) pulled Malone to within five at 48-43 with 12:49 to play.  However, it was all Falcons the rest of the way as Notre Dame secured the victory by rattling off its 18 unanswered points.

After making 43.8% (14 of 32) of its first-half field-goal attempts, Malone struggled to get its offense on track in the second stanza, hitting only 29.6% (eight of 27) of its shots from the floor over the final 20 minutes to end the night with an overall shooting percentage of 37.3% (22 of 59).  The Pioneers also connected on six of 18 (33.3%) three-pointers and four of eight (50.0%) free throws over the course of the evening.  Notre Dame countered by knocking down 49.2% (30 of 61) of its shots from the field, 37.5% (six of 16) of its tries from beyond the three-point arc and 63.6% (seven of 11) of its attempts from the charity stripe.  Malone held a 36-34 advantage in total rebounds but also committed 18 turnovers that led to 21 Falcon points. 

Four minutes into the contest, junior guard Allyson Wilson (pictured above; Firestone H.S.) pulled down her first rebound of the night to become the 15th player in Malone women’s basketball history to reach 500 career boards.  Wilson finished the evening with a game-high 10 rebounds and now ranks 15th on the Pioneers’ all-time list with a total of 509 for her career. 

Freshman guard Cindy Netti (Lake H.S.) paced Malone with a season-high 12 points.  Freshman forward Tara Kies (Cloverleaf H.S.) followed with nine points while Schloz came off the bench to contribute eight points and eight rebounds.  Forward Kealy McNally led the way for Notre Dame with 16 points and nine rebounds.

The Pioneers will look to bounce back on Friday when they host a 5:30 p.m. AMC contest against Daemen (NY) College (12-10 overall, 8-4 AMC).  Free live streaming video and statistics will be available over the internet for Friday’s game (click here for links to each).