CANTON, Ohio – The Malone University men's basketball team will have another opportunity to upend a ranked NCAA DII team, this time they travel to #25 Hillsdale College. The Chargers have only one loss this season, to the other ranked team in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), the University of Findlay.
 
HARDWOOD SERIES HISTORY:
The Pioneers are 4-9 in men's basketball history against Hillsdale. Malone went 0-2 versus the Chargers in 2019-20. The last win for the Pioneers was in 2018, when Malone defeated Hillsdale 77-68 at home.
 
GAME INFORMATION:
Malone Pioneers (0-3, 0-3 G-MAC) @ #25 Hillsdale Chargers (5-1, 5-1 G-MAC)
Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena – Hillsdale, Michigan (2:00 pm)
Live Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/hillsdale/
Live Stats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/hillsdale/stats.htm?eventId=609835&streamType=video
 
MALONE PIONEERS NOTES:
Schedule | Roster | Statistics
 
Although the Pioneers are at 0-3 this season, all three games have been competitive. Two of the three (Trevecca Nazarene and Findlay) were down to the final possession of the game.
 
In the most recent game against Findlay, the lead changed hands 25 times, the most in a game since 2012 when Malone and Salem International traded the lead 25 times as well. Since turning the calendar to 2021, the lead has changed hands between Malone and their three opponents 46 times (8 vs TNU, 13 vs KWC, 25 vs UF).
 
Marcus Ernst was the standout performer against Findlay. The big man had a career-high 29 points and hit his first 11 field goal attempts in the upset effort. He recorded a double-double in the game against Kentucky Wesleyan earlier this week with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Levi Seiler and Justin Miller both notched career-highs in scoring with 11 points apiece at Findlay. Seiler was 5-for-6 from the field and converted baskets late in the game to swing momentum Malone's way. Miller had 11 points and nine rebounds in the game, including three on the offensive end. Miller was 5-for-7 from the field overall, in a game where efficiency was key for the Pioneers.
 
Bo Myers reached the 20-point plateau for the first time this season at Findlay with 21 total points. Myers is the team's leading scorer early in the season at 17.7 points per game.
 
Bryce Butler is one of three Pioneer players who is averaging double figures. Butler is scoring an average of 12.7 points per game and leads the team in free throw attempts (15) and assists (13).
 
HILLSDALE CHARGERS NOTES:
Schedule | Roster | Statistics
 
The 5-1 Chargers are coming off a 75-62 victory against Walsh on Friday night. The number 25 team in the nation has dropped one only game, and it was to #6 Findlay, where Tommy Schmock buried a half-court shot at the buzzer to claim the win.
 
Hillsdale is notorious for having a stingy defense. Aside from Lake Erie, who has only played two games thusfar, Hillsdale is tied with Ohio Dominican for the lowest points per game allowed at 61.3. Hillsdale has the highest scoring margin in the conference at 17.3. Not only do the Chargers have precision on defense, but also on offense. Hillsdale leads the G-MAC in field goal percentage at 48.4%.
 
Forwards Patrick Cartier and Austen Yarian lead the Chargers in scoring at 15.5 and 15.0 points per game. Both attempt over 10 shots per contest and get to the charity stripe at a high rate. Cartier has scored in double figures in all six games in 2020-21 and has two double-doubles with rebounds. Yarien is coming off a nine point, 10 rebound and five assist game versus Walsh.
 
Seniors Davis Larson and Connor Hill are double-digit scorers for Hillsdale as well. Larson is on a streak of three consecutive games in double digits and leads the squad in field goal percentage at 56.3%. Hill is the primary guard for the Chargers and leads the team in assists with 22.
 
Tavon Brown completes the starting line-up for Hillsdale. Brown gathers 7.0 rebounds per game and leads the team in blocks with nine.