The Malone College men’s basketball team split a pair of conference games last week, defeating Tiffin University last Tuesday 83-77 (away) but then falling to The University of Rio Grande at home in a heartbreaking 80-77 loss on Saturday.  With the 1-1 week, the Pioneers are currently 6-11 overall and 1-4 in the AMC South Division.
     At Tiffin, Malone held a 38-35 halftime lead and shot 57.7% in the second half to secure the 83-77 victory.  Chris Miller (Jr., Hiland H.S.) paced the squad with 22 points (9-12 FG, 2-3 3-PT FG, 2-4 FT).  Ben Carver (So., Shelby H.S.) added 14 points while Tyler Renner (So., Garaway H.S.) and Shane Humphrey (So., Loudonville H.S.) each tallied 10 points, respectively.  Craig Giesy (Jr., Bristol H.S.) grabbed a team-high seven rebounds as the Pioneers edged Tiffin 38-31 in total rebounds.  In addition, Jesse Schlabach (Jr., Lake H.S.) posted two assists and two steals. 
     Against Rio Grande, Malone led 47-39 at the half, but was outscored 41-30 in the second half, including two clutch Rio Grande 3-point field goals in the final 1:05, resulting in the 80-77 loss.  Rio hit a three-pointer with just 1.9 seconds left for the win.  Jesse Schlabach paced four Pioneers in double figures with 17 points.  Shane Humphrey added 13 points followed by Chris Miller with 12 points and Tyler Renner with 11 points.  Renner also grabbed a game-high seven rebounds with total rebounds even at 33 for each squad.  In addition, Schlabach collected a game-high six steals.
     This week, Malone (6-11, 1-4 AMC S) will host conference and local rival Walsh University (13-4, 4-1 AMC S) on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and then will travel to Shawnee State University (6-11, 2-3 AMC S) on Thursday for an 8:00 p.m. tip-off.  The Pioneers will conclude the week at home on Saturday against Wilberforce (University (2-12, 1-4 AMC S) at 7:30 p.m. with the 2006 Malone Athletic Hall of Fame inductees being honored during halftime of the men's game.
     This week’s opponents:  Walsh - Walsh holds a 52-38 lead in the all-time series against Malone.  Walsh swept the two-game series last season, 82-76 (at Walsh) and 77-73 (at Malone), and have won three straight against the Pioneers.  Shawnee State - Malone holds a 24-7 advantage in the all-time series.  The two teams split the two-game series last season with Shawnee State winning game one 93-85 (at SSU) and the Pioneers taking game two 93-87 (at Malone).  Wilberforce - Malone holds a 16-11 edge over Wilberforce in the all-time series.  Wilberforce took the first meeting last year in a 97-96 thriller (at Wilberforce) but Malone cruised to a 94-65 win at home in game two.
     Malone notes: Chris Miller leads the team in scoring at 14.5 points per game followed by Jesse Schlabach at 13.9…Tyler Renner paces the squad in rebounds at 6.9 per outing followed by Shane Humphrey at 6.2…Ben Carver leads the team in assists at 2.0 per game.

Women’s Basketball Falls to Tiffin, Knocks Off Rio Grande

     The Malone College women’s basketball team lost to Tiffin University on the road last Tuesday 79-74, but rebounded to defeat The University of Rio Grande at home 69-60 on Saturday.  After the 1-1 week, the Pioneers are currently 4-10 overall and 1-4 in the AMC South Division.
     At Tiffin, Malone trailed 32-24 at halftime and was unable to overcome the eight-point deficit in the second half, falling 79-74.  Nikki Parson (Jr., Garaway H.S.) paced the squad with a game-high 24 points (8-11 FG, 0-1 3-PT FG, 8-10 FT).  Cara Shiplett (So., Northwest H.S.) added 15 points followed by Heather Fenner (So., Shelby H.S.) and Erica Mishler (Jr., Highland H.S.) who each tallied 10 points, respectively.  Nikki Parson also grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds as Malone won the battle of the boards 44-33.  In addition, Kellyn Murphy (So., St. Vincent/St. Mary H.S.) dished out five assists and collected two steals.
     Against Rio Grande, the Pioneers held a slim 34-32 halftime lead before pulling away in the second half to secure the 69-60 victory.  Nikki Parson again led the Pioneer offense with 20 points.  Erica Mishler added 16 points and Cara Shiplett contributed 13 points.  Nikki Parson grabbed 14 boards with Malone out-rebounding Tiffin 37-32.  In addition, Kellyn Murphy had five assists and Parson collected three steals.
     This week, Malone (4-10, 1-4 AMC S) will host Walsh University (6-8, 2-3 AMC S) at home on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and then will travel to Shawnee State University (14-2, 4-1 AMC S) on Thursday for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off.  The Pioneers will conclude the week at home on Saturday against Wilberforce University (4-9, 2-3 AMC S) at 5:30 p.m. 
     This week’s opponents: Walsh - Malone holds a 31-27 edge in the all-time series with Walsh.  The teams split the two-game series last year with Walsh winning game one 75-64 (at Walsh) and Malone taking game two 67-50 (at Malone).  Shawnee State - The Bears hold a 16-3 advantage in the all-time series with Malone.  Shawnee State swept Malone last season (60-48 and 67-56) and has won the last six meetings between the teams.  Wilberforce - Malone has a 9-3 lead over Wilberforce in the all-time series.  The teams split the pair last year with Wilberforce winning game one 75-65 (at Wilberforce) and Malone winning the second one 90-76 (at Malone).
     Malone notes: Nikki Parson leads the team in scoring at 16.6 points per game followed by Cara Shiplett at 13.1…Parson paces the squad in rebounds at 9.1 per outing followed by Shiplett at 6.9 per contest…Kellyn Murphy leads the team in assists at 3.0 per game.