Men's Basketball Downs Malone 85-79

CANTON, OHIO – The Northwood University men's basketball team earned an 85-79 road win over Malone Saturday afternoon (December 12).

Northwood is now 6-3 overall, 3-1 in the GLIAC. Malone falls to 3-5 overall, 0-4 in the GLIAC.

The opening half of play was close throughout. Neither team led by more than five points and the score was tied seven times in the opening 20 minutes. The Timberwolves ended up taking a 35-34 lead to the locker room. Northwood ended up shooting 40.0 percent from the floor in the half (14-35) compared to Malone at 36.4 percent (12-33).

It was the Timberwolves who came out strong early in the second half, scoring 12 of the first 17 points in the opening 3:38 to go up 47-39. NU eventually led 52-41 with 14:27 remaining when Malone's offense got rolling. The Pioneers out-scored the Timberwolves 15-6 in just 3:32 seconds to cut the lead down to 58-56. At one point during that stretch, the two teams combined to make eight straight field goals.

Malone eventually took the lead 69-68 led with under six minutes remaining, but the Timberwolves responded down the stretch to earn the win. Northwood posted a 10-0 run that put NU up 78-69 with less than two minutes to go. The Pioneers got within four in the final seconds but NU made its final four free throws to earn the win.

Northwood finished the game shooting 47.2 percent overall (34-72), thanks in large part to making 54.1 percent in the second half (20-37). Malone ended up at 45.3 percent (29-64). It was a game that featured contrasting styles – NU made just three 3-pointers (3-19) but scored 56 points in the paint. Malone finished with 13 3-pointers (13-31) and 24 points in the paint.

Senior guard Maurice Jones (Saginaw, Mich./Arthur Hill) led the way for the Timberwolves, finishing with 23 points, six rebounds, six steals and four assists. Dylan Langkabel (Morristown, Ind.) added 12, while Jermaine Mayers added 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Casey Boyle (Grayslake, Ill./Grayslake Central scored a season-high 10 points for the Timberwolves.

Northwood will host Kentucky Wesleyan next Sunday (December 20). Game time is set for 3 p.m.