After taking their lumps at the hands of SEC and Conference USA opponents to open their nonconference schedule in November, Troy men’s basketball is hoping December holds some better days.

The Trojans lost by double digits in their two games against SEC opponents in Ole Miss and Georgia and blew a halftime lead before surrendering their third-straight loss to Southern Miss to end the month.

But home last Tuesday for the first time since Nov. 17, Troy appeared to benefit from the familiar surroundings.

The Trojans blew out Alcorn State 72-51 behind double-digit scoring performances from three separate Troy players.

Troy (2-3) will look to continue their hot December start Saturday when they face off with Southland Conference opponent Central Arkansas.

While the first month of regular season play didn’t go quite as scripted for Troy, there has been one bright spot throughout the Trojans’ first five games.

Freshman sensation Wesley Person has been on a tear, scoring in double figures every game this season, including a season-high 27 points against Ole Miss.

Person, son of first-round NBA draft pick Wesley Person Sr., is averaging 16.8 points per game, good for sixth in the Sun Belt Conference. And his 3.4 3-pointers a game, ranks him second in the Sun Belt and 21st in the nation.

The Trojans hope to continue their offensive hot streak against winless Central Arkansas Saturday.

Six of the Bears’ seven losses this season have come by double digits, including a 27-point loss in their season opener at Creighton.

Central Arkansas is lead by Jordan Howard, who is averaging 16 points a game up to this point in the season.

But Troy has not been all offense in their first five games.

The Trojans have played stout defense from behind the arc, allowing opponents to shoot just 26.5 percent, the best mark in the Sun Belt.

Troy senior Kevin Thomas has been a silent leader this year and has been the backbone for an otherwise young and inexperienced Trojan basketball team.

Thomas has been a rebounding machine, ranking 13th in the nation with 4 offensive rebounds a game.

With a win Saturday, Troy will improve to .500 for the first time this season and will grab their second-straight victory in the month of December before departing for a three-game road trip before opening conference play.

Tipoff at Trojan Arena is set for noon.