The Notre Dame College Falcons and the Wheeling University Cardinals open MEC play in the conference opener for both teams at Murphy Gym on Saturday with tip time slated for 4 PM. You can catch all the action on MEC.TV
"We are excited to have our first home game tomorrow," NDC junior guard Kaleb Torrence mentioned.
junior guard Gbolahan Adio agreed:
"Excited to kick off conference play on our home court.
"Excited for our home opener against Wheeling,"NDC head coach Mark Richmond stated.
NDC (1-1) spilt a pair of games in the tip off classic at Indiana (PA) last weekend. The Falcons won the opener by knocking off Pitt-Johnstown 89-76 before falling to the host IUP 75-67 on Saturday. NDC comes into the weekend averaging 78 points per game while they allow 75.5 points per contest. NDC shoots 39 percent from the field and 33 percent from the 3-point line in the young season. They have been solid at the free throw line where they are shooting at a 82.4 percent clip, on the glass the Falcons have corralled 44 rebounds per game while the opposition has also grabbed 44 rebounds per contest. NDC has turned the ball over 10 times per game thus far this year.
"We need to get off to a good start in conference play, "Richmond said.
Adio leads the season box score averaging 21.5 points per game in the young campaign. He is joined in double figures by Devin Haid who is netting 16 points per game, RJ Ogom who is posting 14.,5 points and grabbing 7.5 rebounds per contest. Andre Harris rounds out the double digit scorers at 13.5 points per game and leads the team pulling down 10.5 rebounds per night. Robbie Cass and Cameron Johnson share the team lead dishing out 2.5 assists per game.
Torrence talked protecting the home court:
"Keys to the game tomorrow are to continue to share the ball, create plays for others and rebound on both ends of the floor to protect home court."
Adio gave his key to the contest:
"One key will be staying poised and under control whether up or down."
Wheeling (1-2) lost 97-96 in overtime to Seton Hill in the opener and fell 85-68 to Shippensburg. Both those games were played in the West Liberty classic last weekend. The Cardinals got in the win Column this week with a 82-76 road win over D'Youville in Buffalo. The Cardinals average 82 points per game while they give up 86 points per contest. They shot 44.5 percent as a team from the field, and 35.4 percent from the 3-point line while shooting at a 72.7 percent clip from the free throw line. On the glass the Cardinals are being out rebounded by 3.4 (39.3-42.7 rebounds per contest.) They turn the ball over 14 times per contest. WU also bocks 6.3 shots per game.
Marcus Johnson paces the Cardinals. Johnson averages 17.7 points per game, grabs 6.3 rebounds per night, and swats one shot per game which all lead to the team.
Richmond talked about Johnson:
"Marcus Johnson is a big that presents some matchup problems for us. We will have to do a good job making it difficult on him because he's a big and can score at all three levels."
William Gabbert puts up 13 points per game, Caleb Murray tallies 11 points per game, while Trey Stoffer and Sean Early each score 10 points per contest. Stoffer dishes out a team leading four assists per contest as well.
Richmond gave these thoughts prior to this one:
"Wheeling is coming off a nice win at D'Youville and have some really good returning players. The key to our success is rebounding and taking care of as well as sharing the ball."
NDC won both meetings between the two teams last season.
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