In a game that featured six ties and 11 lead changes the Notre Dame College Falcons got a career high 23 points from DeAirius Barker, a career high 12 rebounds from Obinna Ugwuakazi, while Jaedon Willis tied a season high 33 points as the Falcons held off Wheeling University 85-81 at the McDonough Center on Wednesday night. With the win NDC completed the season sweep of the Cardinals. NDC improves to 9-7 and 6-5 in MEC play. Wheeling drops to 3-14 and 1-10 in the MEC.
"Give credit to Wheeling. They wouldn't go away but I'm really proud of our team, "NDC head coach Mark Richmond mentioned. "We stayed together and found a way to win after a couple tough ones."
"When you're short-handed you need guys to step up it's natural, Ugwuakazi explained. "Coming off a couple tough losses it has a way of messing with your head. I'm just glad we as a whole we're able to get back on track. It's pretty scary when we get rolling for real."
NDC come out red hot to start this one. After Andrew Taylor scored the games first points for Wheeling the Falcons would get four consecutive 3-pointer's to fall. Willis hit a triple, Jamarr Talbert knocked down a three, Barker knocked home a 3-pointer and Willis capped the 12-0 run with his second 3-pointer of the game. Wheeling scored the next six points before the Falcons went on a 5-0 run capped by a basket by Ugwuakazi who got the start on Wednesday. A 3-pointer by Tyland Crawford gave the Falcons a 22-13 lead with 11:13 in the half. NDC led 32-28 after a Barker 3-pointer at the 3:24 mark of the opening stanza. The next four points would go to Wheeling as Brent Price tied the game at 32 with 1:52 until halftime. Willis hit another 3-pointer to make it 35-32 but WU scored the last four points of the half to take a 36-35 lead into the locker room.
NDC was paced by 14 points from Willis, while Barker had nine in the opening stanza. They each had three assists and Crawford led NDC with five rebounds in the opening half. The Falcons shot 32.4 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes, 38.1 percent (8-21) from the 3-point line and a perfect three of three at the free throw line. They had 10 assists and four turnovers in the half.
"During the first half I settled on some jumpers and my teammates and coaches were telling me to attack the basket. In the second half that is what I did, "Crawford stated.
In the opening 20 minutes John Korte had 14 points, Price added nine points and nine rebounds, while Marcus Johnson added seven. The Cardinals shot 44.4 percent in the opening stanza, 16.7 percent (2-12) from the 3-point line, and 50 percent (2-4) from the free throw line. The Cardinals were +7 on the boards in the opening 20 minutes.
The second half began on the see-saw as it was tied at 42 after a Willis layup with 16:13 to go. Barker knocked down a triple to put NDC on top 33 seconds later. The two teams would trade the lead several times over the next four minutes. Down 52-51 NDC would go on a 14-2 run that included six free throws made by Willis, Crawford, and Barker, a triple by Talbert, a layup by Gbolahan Adio and a triple by Willis. NDC led 65-54 with 7:58 to go. After a Wheeling hoop Willis again connected from the 3-point line and it was a 12 point (68-56) lead for NDC. The Cardinals would not go away though. They would get to within three on a couple of occasions but NDC would hang on for the victory and the season sweep.
NDC was paced by Willis who poured in a season high tying 33 points that included a 7 for 11 mark from the 3-point line and eight of 10 at the free throw line. Barker went three of six from the 3-point line and a perfect 10 of 10 from the free throw line on his way to a career high 23 points.
"We were just playing off each other, being aggressive, trying to make easy reads for the both of us and our team, "Willis explained.
Barker added six rebounds, four assists and a steal while Willis had five rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Crawford added nine points and seven rebounds and had this about his big offensive rebound late:
"I got the ball in the mid post so I kind of rushed the shot with the clock winding down. When I saw Obi (Ugwuakazi) tipped the ball I knew I had to pursue the ball to help us get another possession and it worked out. Me attacking the baskets opens up my game but also everyone else's."
Talbert also added eight points and seven rebounds, while Ugwuakazi had six points to go with his 12 boards.
Wills said this about Ugwuakazi:
"Obi is our best rebounder so it was good he got to play extended minutes (27 minutes) and show that."
NDC shot 33.8 percent in the game, 39.4 percent (13-33) from the 3-point line, and 90.3 percent (28-31) from the free throw line. They won the rebounding battle 44-43.
Ugwuakazi talked about that:
"Coach always hammers us on rebounds. Today was a team effort. Big props to Mar (Talbert) who came in big for us late on the glass."
The Falcons had 16 assists and 10 turnovers in the contest.
Wheeling was paced by Korte who had 29 points and 10 rebounds, Price notched 22 points and 14 boards, while Johnson added 15. The Cardinals shot 40.5 percent from the field, 24.1 percent (7-29) from the 3-point line, and 73.7 percent (14-19) at the free throw line. They had 12 assists and 11 turnovers in the contest.
Richmond gave the final thoughts of the night:
"I thought our free throw shooting was key and we were able to get some key stops late. We needed that one really bad to get back on track and I think that showed in how hard our guys played."
NDC will be back in action Saturday when they return home to face Alderson Broaddus. Tip time is slated for 4 PM.
Other MEC Scores Wednesday:
Glenville State 91 West Virginia State 77
Charleston 93 Concord 82
West Liberty 86 Alderson Broaddus 72
Fairmont State 93 Davis & Elkins 78
West Virginia Wesleyan 81 Frostburg State 71
MEC Standings:
West Liberty 10-1 (15-2)
West Virginia State 9-2 (15-2)
Charleston 9-2 (12-5)
Fairmont State 8-3 (13-4)
Glenville State 7-4 (11-6)
Concord 7-4 (10-6)
NDC 6-5 (9-7)
Davis & Elkins 3-8 (9-8)
Alderson Broaddus 3-8 (4-11)
West Virginia Wesleyan 2-9 (2-13)
Frostburg State 1-10 (5-12)
Wheeling 1-10 (3-14)
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