SPRINGFIELD, IL  --  The Miners are set to play the Malone University Pioneers at 5pm today in their opening round matchup of the 2025 NCAA DII Midwest Regional. The Minerd are the #1 seed, while Malone drew the #8 seed.

About the Pioneers
After entering the Great Midwest Athletic Conference championship as a #7 seed, the Pioneers defeated #2 Kentucky Wesleyan, #3 Hillsdale, and #4 Thomas More to claim the title of GMAC Tournament Champions, taking down the Saints 76-63 in the championship game.

Simon Blair is Malone's leading scorer, averaging 16.4 PPG, which is the 8^th most in the GMAC. He also leads the team in assists, picking up 119, for the 5^th highest assists per game average in the conference. Ryan Bartley and Tre Baumgartner III will be impact players to watch as well, with the two averaging 14.3 and 13.3 points per game this year.

What's Next
If the Miners win today, they advance to tomorrow's semifinal round at 7:30pm against the winner of Ferris State and UMSL.