The Malone College men’s basketball team shot nearly 60% from the field on Saturday afternoon to notch a 66-61 American Mideast Conference North Division victory at Houghton (NY) College.  The Pioneers trailed by six points late in the first half, but then outscored the Highlanders 7-0 over the final two minutes of the opening stanza to take a 31-30 lead into the locker room at halftime.  Although Houghton kept things close throughout the second stanza, Malone never relinquished its lead, thanks in large part to the fact that the Pioneers made 61.9% (13-21) of their field goal attempts in the final frame.  The hosts made things interesting in the final minute as the Highlanders cut Malone’s advantage to just two points at 63-61 with 39 seconds remaining.  However, Pioneer senior center Shane Humphrey (Loudonville H.S.) pushed the visitors’ advantage back to two points at 65-61 after nailing two clutch free throws with just under 30 ticks remaining on the clock.  Houghton launched a three-point attempt on its next trip down the floor, but the shot was off the mark and after senior guard Ben Carver (Shelby H.S.) snagged the rebound, junior forward Taurean Dailey (McKinley H.S.) locked up the 66-61 triumph with another free throw.

 

The loss dropped the Highlanders to 6-11 overall and 0-4 in the AMC North while Malone improved to 15-5 overall and 3-1 in the division.  The Pioneers have now won 10 straight games away from Osborne Hall and have posted victories in 10 out of their last 11 contests overall. 

 

Although Malone connected on just three of 12 (25%) three-point attempts on the afternoon, the Pioneers sizzled from inside the arc, hitting a season-high 58.7% (27 of 46) of their overall shots from the field.  Houghton, meanwhile, knocked down eight of 22 (36.4%) three-point tries, but converted on only 22 of its 57 (38.6%) overall field goal attempts.  The hosts pulled down 10 offensive rebounds, but trailed Malone 31-26 in total boards.

 

Carver paced four Pioneers in double-figures with 18 points in addition to dishing out four assists and snagging three rebounds.  Humphrey followed with 14 points while senior forward Tyler Renner (Garaway H.S.) posted his third straight double-double with 12 points and 13 boards.  Other important contributors for Malone included junior forward Jarrod Ferwerda (Lake H.S.), who registered 10 points, and sophomore center Ted Lawver (CVCA), who scored seven points.

 

This week, Malone (15-5 overall, 3-1 AMC North) will participate in just one contest, a 7:30 p.m. home match-up against current AMC North division leader Notre Dame (OH) College (10-11 overall, 3-0 AMC North) on Saturday evening.

 

This week’s opponent: Notre Dame- The Pioneers have won all four of their previous meetings with the Falcons.  Malone defeated Notre Dame (at Malone) last season (November 30, 2006) by the final score of 92-88.