CEDARVILLE, Ohio - The NAIA Division II #14 Yellow Jackets used a 19-point spurt midway through the first half en route to eliminating Malone, 81-58, in the opening round of the American Mideast Conference Tournament. They head to Buffalo, N.Y. to face Daemen in a semifinal contest on Saturday.

Cedarville trailed 17-11 eight minutes into the contest at the Callan Athletic Center. However, the Jackets turned it up with Matt Harner scoring 10 of his game-high 24 points during the decisive explosion which spanned five minutes.

CU outscored the Pioneers 30-7 over the final 12 minutes of the initial period for a 41-24 spread at the break. While Malone sneaked back to within 14 early in the second half, the home team pushed the difference out to as much as 69-44 with 7:20 left.

Harner nailed four three-pointers and finished with a game-high 24 points for the Yellow Jackets, 23-8 overall and winners of 13 of their last 14 outings. Chris Beals added four treys and tallied 19 points. Ricardo Alliman picked up his 16th double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Cedarville hit 11-of-24 three-pointers and converted 14-of-16 free throws. The Jackets also controlled the boards, 44-23. Malone ends the season 13-16. [STATS]

SCOTT HUCK PHOTO GALLERY

American Mideast Conference Tournament Info and Bracket