NEW LONDON, Conn--Kym Malone (Richardson, Texas) poured in a team-best 16 points to lead the University of Dallas (3-2) to a 58-54 victory against Wheelock College (1-4) in the title game of the Citizens Bank Classic held at Luce Field House Saturday.

Malone was named the tournament's most valuable player and was joined by teammate Ross Davidson (Dana Point, Calif.) on the All-Tournament squad for the Privateers. Malone was 5-for-7 from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 from the charity stripe and had five assists for the victors.

Wheelock College seniors Daniel Higgins (Wakefield, Mass.) and Bashir Hudson (Jamaica Plain, Mass.) represented the Wildcats on the All-Tournament Team. Connecticut College junior Matt Vadas (Spring Lake Heights, N.J.) and freshman Jared Shill (Woodcliff Lake, N.J.) rounded out the All-Tournament team selections.

Davidson posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards while senior Tanney Bruffer (Lubbock, Texas) reached double-figures with 11 points.

Dallas led by seven at the break, 28-21 but the Wildcats stormed back and took 42-37 lead with a free throw from Andrew Kirkman (Dartmouth, Mass.) with 9:09 to go. But the boys from the Big D clamped down at the defensive end and put together a 9-0 run, taking a 46-42 lead with a dribble and deuce from Malone with 7:16 remaining.  Bruffey added a clutch three from the right side with 2:22 remaining that made it a 53-46 game and the Privateers were able to hold on for the 58-54 win.

In the early game, Connecticut College pleased its home crowd by storming out to a 45-16 halftime lead against its Whaling City rivals.  Vadas was 6-for-7 in the first stanza and 3-for-3 from long distance, finishing with 17 of his game-high 19 points in the half. Tyrone Turner (New York, N.Y.) scored 11 points while Shill and junior John Bullitt (Brookline, Mass.) netted nine points each.

Greg Marshall (Gaithersburg, Md.) finished with nine points and five rebounds for the Bears. Jimmy Knudsen (Ridge, N.Y.) registered six points and six rebounds in the setback.

"We shot really well to start the game and I think that fueled our energy a little bit on defense," Connecticut College Head Men's Basketball Coach Tom Satran said.

Satran and his staff hosted a Kids, Books and Athletics Youth Clinic in Luce Field Wednesday.  Kids, Books and Athletics or Project KBA is an ongoing collaborative between the Connecticut College Office of Volunteers and Community Service and the Connecticut College athletic department to promote literacy and fitness in the New London public school system.