January 1, 2008

Malone Withstands Late Tennessee Wesleyan Rally To Record 57-55 Victory At Embry-Riddle (FL) Tournament

 
The Malone College men's basketball team opened play at Embry-Riddle (FL) University's Bahama House Shootout in Daytona Beach, Florida on Tuesday evening with a 57-55 win over Tennessee Wesleyan College.  The Pioneers and Bulldogs were tied 55-55 with under a minute to play before Malone center Shane Humphrey (Sr., Loudonville H.S.) scored in the final seconds to put his squad on top 57-55.  Tennessee Wesleyan quickly moved the ball down the court and launched a final shot, but the game-tying attempt was off the mark, allowing the Pioneers to notch their sixth-straight victory and advance to Wednesday?s championship contest against tournament host Embry-Riddle.
 
Malone (11-4 overall, 0-0 AMC North Division) led 26-23 at halftime and then extended its advantage to as many as 11 points midway through the second stanza before the Bulldogs stormed back with a 17-6 run that knotted the game at 55.  Tennessee Wesleyan (3-9, 2-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) was unable to complete the comeback, however, as Humphrey delivered his clutch bucket from inside the paint to lift the Pioneers to the two-point win.  The Bulldogs struggled from beyond the three-point arc throughout the contest as the squad connected on just three of its 23 (13.0%) three-pointers over the course of the evening, coming up empty on all 16 of its three-point tries in the first half.  Malone also struggled somewhat from three-point range, converting just four of 17 (23.5%) attempts, but the squad was able to knock down nine of 12 (75%) free throws and held a 39-30 advantage in total rebounds.
 
Humphrey and senior guard Ben Carver (Shelby H.S.) each tossed in 13 points to lead the way for the Pioneers.  Junior forward Taurean Dailey (McKinley H.S.) came off the bench to post 11 points and sophomore forward Mark Young (Jackson H.S.) contributed seven points, eight rebounds, and three assists in the first start of his Malone playing career.
 
NAIA Division II #4 Embry-Riddle rolled to a 103-48 victory against NCAA Division III Philadelphia (PA) Biblical University in Tuesday's second game.  The Shootout continues on Wednesday with a 6:00 p.m. consolation match-up between Tennessee Wesleyan and Philadelphia Biblical.  Embry-Riddle and Malone will then face off in the championship contest at 8:00 p.m.
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