CANTON, Ohio -- Point Park University men's basketball trimmed a 12-point, halftime deficit down to three in the final minutes but was nipped by NCAA Division II Malone (Ohio) University, 79-76, on Saturday.

Point Park (4-4) was down by as many as 19 points in the first half. Malone (4-4) was still up by 12 points at halftime, 48-36, after shooting 56 percent the first 20 minutes.

The second half was much better for Point Park with the defense holding the homestanding Pioneers to 32-percent shooting and 30 points. Point Park used its balanced scoring to get back into the game and was down, 70-67, with 2:53 left.

Malone's Jaret Majestic scored a couple of key baskets in a row, including a trey for a 75-67 lead moments later. Point Park got back within three on Juwan Willis (JR/Pittsburgh, Pa.)' trey with 34 seconds to go, 75-72.

Point Park sent Malone to the line a couple of times with Daylan Haynie going 3 for 4. Willis followed up each of those trips with a tough basket, and the Pioneers were within 78-76 with 12 seconds left.

A final trip to the foul line for Malone had Eli Ramsey miss the first and make the second. With four seconds, the Pioneers inbounded and went the length of the floor. But Willis' 3-pointer was blocked by Ramsey at the buzzer.

Point Park had five players score in double digits and out-shot Malone, 47 percent to 45 percent overall. Kameron Shockley (SO/Uniontown, Ohio) led Point Park with 16 points and seven rebounds. Willis finished with 12 points. R.J. Fairrow (JR/Pickerington, Ohio) put up 13 points and five rebounds while the bench had Sherron Schifino (SO/Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Adam Scott (JR/East Cleveland, Ohio) with 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Malone had four starters in double digits led by Marcus Ernst with 19 points and eight rebounds. Haynie added 15 points for Malone, which was up 35-16, with 8:00 left in the first half.

Malone hung on by making just enough free throws. The Pioneers were 17 for 27 for the game. Point Park was 7 for 10 from the line. Point Park tallied 19 assists on its 31 baskets. Jesse Calloway (SO/Lynchburg, Va.) dished out six.

The Pioneers open up River States Conference play for their next game, which is next Saturday, Dec. 7 at Carlow. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. at Oakland Catholic High School.

Follow the Pioneers online at PointParkSports.com and on social media @PointParkSports and @PointParkMBB hashtags #PPUMBB #PPUHOOPS.