Two games does not make a basketball season. Notre Dame College fell 82-72 to Slippery Rock in day two of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce Conference Challenge at Slippery Rock. "We competed at a much higher level today, "Head Coach Mark Richmond said. "Had a rough stretch in the second half that we couldn't overcome. We're still a work in progress but we are looking forward to playing at home on Wednesday."
With the loss NDC falls to 0-2 on the season, while Slippery Rock improves to 2-0 with the victory.
The Rock came out red hot to start the game as they jumped out to a 7-0 lead after a Jonathan McFall jumper at the 17:45 mark of the first half. NDC would get on the board as Khalil Camara would make a layup 21 seconds later. Javontae Jones would make a layup to cut the lead to 13-8 before a 3-ball by Jomo Going put SRU back up eight. Down 20-12 NDC would go on a 5-0 burst as DeAirius Barker hit a 3-pointer and Daylin Lee made a layup to make it 20-17 halfway through the opening stanza. After a hoop by the Rock gave them a five point lead Jamarr Talbert hit a 3-pointer to spark the Falcons 11-0 run that gave them a 28-22 advantage after a pair of free throws from Obinna Ugwuakazi at the 5:56 mark of the first half. The next three points went the way of Slippery Rock before a Tyland Crawford 3-pointer would give the Falcons their largest lead of the game (31-25) with 3:02 in the half. A 5-0 run by the Rock cut the lead to one before Jaedon Willis hit a triple to make it 34-30 NDC. After Lashon Lindsey hit a 3-pointer for SRU, Willis countered with a bucket for NDC as the Falcons took a 36-33 halftime lead.
Lee led the Falcons with eight points in the opening half, while Camara added six. NDC shot 40 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes, 36.4 percent (4-11) from the 3-point line, and were a perfect four of four at the free throw line. They had six assists and three turnovers as a team in the first half.
SRU was paced by MCFall with 15 in the opening half, while no-one else had more than five. The Rock shot 40.6 percent from the field in the first half, 28.6 percent (4-14) from the 3-point line, and 60 percent (3-5) from the free throw line in the opening half. They had six assists and seven turnovers in the half.
Crawford made a layup to put NDC up five but Britt would nail a 3-pointer. After a Camara layup the Rock went on a 7-0 run to take the lead before a 3-pointer by Gbolahan Adio tied the game at 43. Britt would hit another 3-pointer and two layups as he remained hot then a dunk by McFall at the 13:45 mark would bring the crowd out of their seats at Morrow FieldHouse as Mark Richmond needed to burn a time out. NDC would get to within four briefly but SRU would stretch the lead back to double digits (64-53) after a McFall layup. A layup by Andre Harris and a Wills jumper would get NDC to within seven but Britt continued to stay hot as his 3-pointer made it 67-57 with 7:30 on the clock. NDC would not be able to get closer than eight the rest of the way as SRU secured the victory.
NDC was paced by Willis who had 15 points and Crawford who tallied 11. NDC shot 42.6 percent from the field, 29.4 percent (5-17) from the 3-point line, and 78.9 percent (15-19) at the free throw line. The Falcons had 11 assists and 16 turnovers as a team.
SRU was led by McFall who scored 28 points, Britt who scored all 20 of his points in the second half including four 3-pointer's, and Gates who netted 10. SRU shot 44.3 percent from the field, 30.8 percent (8-26) from the 3-point line, and 83.3 percent (20-24) from the free throw line. They won the rebounding battle 38-32, and had nine assists to go with 16 turnovers in this one.
"We have to realize we made this bed that we lay in. We need to protect the home court on Wednesday, "Willis explained.
NDC will be back in action Wednesday for the home opener at Murphy Gym when they take on Bryant & Stratton College (Buffalo.) Tip time is slated for 7:30 PM.
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