CANTON -- The Malone University men's basketball team heads back out on the road this weekend for another crucial Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) test.

The Pioneers will travel to the University of Findlay for the first matchup this season with the Oilers. 

GAME INFORMATION
The Matchup: Malone University Pioneers (16-5, 11-3 G-MAC) at University of Findlay Oilers (14-7, 8-5 G-MAC)
Where: Findlay, Ohio | Croy Physical Education Center/Niekamp Arena/Houdeshell Court
When: Saturday, February 12 | 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: University of Findlay Ticket Office
Live Video Stream: Great Midwest Digital Network
Live Stats: Great Midwest Digital Network
Live Audio: WLFC 88.3 FM

SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 57th meeting all-time on the hardwood between these two schools. The Oilers have dominated the overall series 39-17.

Despite struggling with Findlay historically, Malone won the last meeting, an 89-83 win back on February 13 inside of Osborne Hall.

A career-high 33 points from Bryce Butler helped fuel the Senior Day win for the Pioneers.

That victory snapped a three-game slide for Malone in the overall series.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT MALONE UNIVERSITY
Roster | Schedule | Stats

• The Pioneers picked up a huge G-MAC win over Hillsdale College on Thursday night. The Chargers entered play just outside of the top-25 as one of the "other teams receiving votes" in the most recent  "NABC NCAA Division II Top-25 Poll. Malone built up a double-digit halftime lead, and outscored Hillsdale in the second-half to run away with the 85-68 win.
• It was a milestone night on Thursday for Marcus Ernst. He scored 18 points, and pulled a game-high 15 rebounds. Those boards allowed him to eclipse the 1,000 rebound mark for his Malone career. He is now just one of three players in all of Malone history to score at least 1,000 points and pull down at least 1,000 rebounds during their Pioneer career. 
• Malone's offense was hitting on all cylinders against Hillsdale. The 85 points scored tied for the most the Chargers have given up in a G-MAC game this year, and improved the Pioneers' season scoring average to a G-MAC leading 81.5 points per game. Hillsdale had entered play boasting the G-MAC's second-best defense, in terms of opponents scoring.
• Bryce Butler scored ten points inside the final 1:44 of play on Thursday, and ultimately finished with 18 points. His 17.3 points per game leads Malone, and is third overall in the G-MAC. 
• The effort by Marcus Ernst on the boards in the last two games has helped boost his season average to an even 10.0 rebounds per game. He is one of just two players in the entire conference averaging a double-double.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF FINDLAY
Roster | Schedule | Stats

• The Oilers enter off of an 82-73 loss at Walsh on Thursday night. Findlay led by two points at the halftime break but was outscored by eleven points in the second-half. 
• Junior forward Nathan Burns leads Findlay in scoring this year at 14.2 points per game, however the Oilers' attack that averages 75.1 points per game as a team is well-balanced. Anthony Masterlasco (11.9 ppg), Tre'Mne Gray (11.5 ppg), and Joey Edmonds (11.1 ppg) all average in double-digits. 
• Despite the loss to the Cavaliers on Thursday, Findlay enters Saturday's contest having won 9 out of their last 11 games. 
• Findlay, who was picked to finish third in the conference in the preseason coaches poll, is under the direction of head coach Charlie Ernst who is in his eleventh season leading the Oilers. 

UP NEXT
Malone will play the final road game of the 2021-22 regular season next week. The Pioneers travel to Tiffin University on Thursday for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.