Box Score CANTON, Ohio -- The Notre Dame Falcons got out to a sluggish start against Malone on Saturday afternoon, and never recovered, as they fell to the Pioneers, 83-64. (Box)

For the Falcons, the loss extends their road losing streak to seven games, leaving them without a road victory since Dec. 10.  For Malone (11-12) the victory extends their winning streak to three, and avenges an 85-84 overtime loss to the Falcons back on Jan. 21.

The Pioneers began the game red hot, nailing their first three shots from the floor in the opening two mintutes of the contest, and scored the first nine points of the game.  Notre Dame was never able to recover, and found themselves behind, 22-8, with 10:48 to play in the opening half.  Malone took a 46-25 lead into the locker room at the half. 

The Falcons had a hard time hitting their shots in the first half, netting just 37.5-percent (9-for-24) of their shots from the floor, while the Pioneers took advantage of some sharp shooting, nailing down 65.4-percent (17-for-26) of their shots of the first half.  Malone drilled 60.0-percent (6-for-10) of their shots from beyond the arc as well. 

Things didnt improve much for NDC in the second stanza, as the Pioneers maintained their double digit lead through the remainder of the game.  Malone led by as many as 30 on two separate occasions, and never gave the Falcons a chance to get back within striking distance. 

Just a few days after hitting 34 free throws in a win over Salem International (W.Va.), the Falcons struggled at the free throw line, hitting 57.1-percent (8-for-14) of their foul shots, while Malone cashed in at the line, netting 88.2-percent (15-for-17) from the line. 

Phil Biggs and Lawrence DeArmond led the Falcons with 11 points each.  Biggs also led the Falcons with eight rebounds and a trio of assists. The Falcons shot 41.4-percent (24-for-58) on the afternoon, including a 42.1-percent (8-for-19) clip from long distance, and outrebounded the Pioneers, 32-28. 

"Its very difficult to win on the road when we don't play as hard as we're capable of playing," said Head Coach Kevin Bille.  "We're too far along in the season for that to be an issue, but our effort, and the inability to execute our game plan were major problems this afternoon."

The Falcons are in action again on Wednesday, Feb. 15, when they hit the road again, and head to Lima, Ohio, to take on OSU-Lima. Tip-off is slated for 6:00 PM.

NOTES FROM THE NEST ...

MATCHING UP WITH MALONE: One time conference foes in the American Mideast Conference, the Falcons and Pioneers have met 14 times in the all time series.  The Pioneers carry a 9-5 edge, winning the first five games in the all time series, before the Falcons went on to win the next four.  Three out of their last five meetings have been decided by three points or less.

AND THEN, THERE WERE THREE: The Falcons have three regular season games remaining in the 2011-12 season.  Two of those three games will be on the road, against OSU-Lima and Walsh, while they play their final home game against Ohio Dominican on Feb. 22. 

STEALIN' AND DEALIN': The Falcons are averaging 7.5 steals per game over 22 games on the season, and they are averaging 13.4 assists per game.  Both marks are currently second best in the history of the program.