After a difficult loss to Western Kentucky, the BG men’s basketball team has a short turnaround period, as it takes on Malone on Wednesday night.

The Falcons return home, where they have had all of their success this season, with a 4-1 record at the Stroh Center. BG is 0-2 in road games.

This will be the only time the Falcons play at home in the month of December. After the game, BG begins a five-game road trip and does not play another home game until Mid-American Conference play starts Jan. 7 against Ohio.

The Falcons have never faced Malone before, but are 4-0 under coach Louis Orr when facing a Division II program.

However, Malone has had success this season on the Division II level. Earlier this season, it ended Findlay’s 105-game regular season win streak, and brings a 5-3 record into the game.

The Pioneers have three players scoring in double figures, led by guard Eric Coblentz, who is averaging 15 points per contest. Forward Cory Veldhuizen is right behind him, averaging 14.3 points per game, while guard Isiah Elliott is averaging 10 points per game.

In that win over Findlay, Coblentz and Veldhuizen came up huge for Malone. Coblentz dropped 27 points, while Veldhuizen added 18 and had nine rebounds.

This season, the Falcons have not been able to overcome poor shooting performances to get wins. BG is 0-3 when shooting less than 38 percent from the floor, but is 4-0 when it shoots more than 38 percent.

Leading the way for the Falcons this season has been forward Scott Thomas. He is the only Falcon averaging double figures in points this season – 12.7 per game.

He also leads the team with 6.7 rebounds per game and two steals per game, and is third on the team with 2.4 assists per game.

His strong all-around game has him on the verge of program history. He needs 43 points and 10 steals to become the first player in program history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 100 three-pointers and 150 steals in a career.