The Notre Dame College Falcons and Concord Mountain Lions played another entertaining basketball game inside Murphy Gymnasium on Wednesday night. DeAirus Barker set the tone early as he scored 20 points, grabbed a career high 12 rebounds, and dished out a career high nine assists as well as getting three steals.NDC came away with a 84-75 win on Wednesday night.
"Thought it was a hard fought win for us, "NDC head coach Mark Richmond mentioned. "I was really proud of the team and the way they stayed together. Concord wouldn't go away. I thought for the most part we did a really good job guarding in the first half and that us that lead that we were able to hang onto in the second half. Obviously a big night for DeAirius all around. He had a lot of bounce and was all over the court tonight."
"DB (Barker) putting up those numbers tonight was huge, "Jamarr Talbert added.
"DeAirius had an all-around performance, "Tyland Crawford said.
"I don't know if we get that dub without that from him (Barker) tonight he really stepped up, "Kaleb Torrence stated. "Rebounding it, dishing it, getting to the rim he really helped us get that dub tonight.Jaedon Willis scored 22 of his 29 points in the second half , Obinna Ugwuakazi had his first career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Torrence added a career high eight rebounds to go with his two assists and two steals.
Torrence talked about his night:
"We were happy to get the dub. We have a next man up mentality on this team. We had a couple guys out so you have to have the confidence to step up and play that role."
NDC got off to a good start again they would get layups from Talbert, Barker, and Ugwuakazi to take a 6-0 lead early. NDC went on a 9-0 run and took a 17-5 lead at the 14:10 mark of the first half after a Willis three-point play.
Richmond talked about the start:
"Our guys have done a good job getting ready to play. These starts come from confidence. Putting in the time and energy to get ready to play both individually and as a team. By the time we get ready for a 7:30 tip those guys are ready to go. Basketball is easy to predict in a lot of ways. What you put into it is what you get out of it."
The next five points went to the Mountain Lions before a Talbert jumper. The NDC lead was trimmed to five twice but after a Barker triple at the 6:25 mark NDC held a 29-21 advantage. NDC ended up taking an eight point lead (40-32) into the locker room.
Barker had 13 points to go along with 10 rebounds in the opening half. Talbert and Willis each netted seven, and Ugwuakazi had six. NDC shot 42.1 percent in the first 20 minutes, 30.8 percent (4-13) from the 3-point line, and 80 percent (4-5) at the free throw line.
Concord was led by Ruhama who was the only player in double figures in the first half with 18 points while Amare Smith added nine. The Mountain Lions shot 34.6 percent in the first half, 33.3 percent (4-12) from the 3-point line, and 76.9 percent (10-13) at the free throw line.
Concord come out with a lot of energy in the second half. After Talbert hit a 3-pointer to make it 43-32 Concord would score the games next nine points as a 3-pointer by Jevon Laidler trimmed the NDC lead to two (43-41.) After Talbert made a layup and a 3-pointer by JJ Harper cut it to a one point game (45-44) NDC Coach Mark Richmond called timeout. He talked about that:
"There is the beginning of the first half and the beginning of the second half. When you have a eight point lead you are going to get the best shot from the other team. I didn't think we responded well coming out of the half and that's why I took that early timeout. I didn't love our body language. They needed a reminder that Concord is a good basketball team and they weren't going to give us the game. We had to go take it. It was going to take a lot of effort and we needed to be reminded of that. The game was hanging in the balance there early in the second half."
Barker knocked down a triple, Daylin Lee scored a layup and Barker made two free throws to put NDC up eight again (52-44) with 13:56 on the clock. The next four points went to the Mountain Lions before a Willis 3-ball and a pair of Barker free throws stretched the lead back to nine. The next five points went to CU as Ruhama buried a triple to make it 57-53 NDC with 11:15 to go. NDC went on a 7-0 run capped by a Willis 3-pointer to stretch the lead back to double figures. Willis hit his second straight triple at the 9:01 mark and the lead was 67-55 Falcons. NDC held the Mountain Lions at arms length the rest of the way and secured a third straight win and split the season series with Concord.
Crawford had this to say after the win:
"Big home win! Jaedon knocked down some clutch threes down the stretch. Obi stepped up big again tonight. We just gotta keep it rolling. I love where we are headed."
Talbert had this to say:
"I think we are getting better after every game. Kaleb brought us much needed energy off the bench. DB and Jaedon both had big games for us."
The final numbers saw Willis pace NDC with 29 points, Barker added his 20 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. Talbert netted 12, while Ugwuakazi had his first career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
"Tremendous opportunity to show what we are capable of, "Ugwuakazi explained. " It was a solid team win. As for the double-double it was a thrilling experience just glad it was with my squad."
NDC shot 39.1 percent as a team, 32.3 percent (10-31) from the 3-point line, and 87 percent (20-23) from the free throw line. They won the rebounding battle 45-38. NDC had 16 assists and 10 turnovers in this one.
Richmond talked about execution:
"I though we executed really well offensively. 18 offensive rebounds was a key number. 16 assists was a good number for us as well."
Richmond talked about getting Torrence who had five points, a career high eight rebounds along with a pair of assists and steals some extended minutes tonight:
"Kaleb is a guy that I think it was important we got him in there more. We had enough of a lead late that we could let him finish the game which he hadn't done before. He made some mistakes but he is a guy we are going to need as another ball handler late in games. A guy that can make free throws. It is important that we get him some experience. He's a guy that works hard and wants to win. I thought he needed to be rewarded late in the game with a couple guys out. He wasn't perfect but we can put it on film and make some corrections of some of the mistakes."
Concord was led by Ruhama with 28, Moore added 14, Smith tallied 12, and Jordan Wooden netted 11. The Mountain Lions shot 40.9 percent from the field, 37 percent (10-27) from the 3-point line, and 73.3 percent (11-15) at the free throw line. They had 11 assists and 12 turnovers in the contest.
Willis gave his thoughts after this NDC win:
"Shots weren't falling first half but I didn't get discouraged, I just kept playing. DB (Barker) was exceptional today. We really needed his energy and effort first half. He carried the first half and I just tried to help after."
Richmond gave his thoughts about Willis:
"Jaedon didn't have his best night shooting the ball. I was really proud of his effort. I thought he did a good job of what we call guarding his yard. Keeping guys in front of him and making it tough on those big guards they have. He had a couple go in and out in the first half. Thought he pressed a little at times. He settled back in though and got a lot of points at the free throw line ((13-14) and that was key to keeping the lead late in the game."
Richmond gave the final thought:
"All in all I thought we were good at both ends tonight."
NDC will be back in action Saturday when they travel to Glenville State to take on the Pioneers. Tip time is slated for 4 PM.
Other MEC Scores Wednesday:
West Liberty 104 Davis &Elkins 69
Alderson Broaddus 74 Glenville State 72 (OT)
Charleston 71 Frostburg State 53
Fairmont State 85 West Virginia State 78 (OT)
Wheeling 82 West Virginia Wesleyan 55
MEC Standings:
West Liberty 11-2 (16-3)
Charleston 11-2 (14-5)
Fairmont State 10-3 (15-4)
West Virginia State 9-4 (15-4)
Glenville State 8-5 (12-7)
NDC 8-5 (11-7)
Concord 7-6 (10-8)
Davis & Elkins 4-9 (10-9)
Alderson Broaddus 4-9 (6-12)
Wheeling 3-10 (5-14)
West Virginia Wesleyan 2-11 (2-15)
Frostburg State 1-12 (5-14)
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