The Notre Dame College Falcons had a chance to get the first conference win of the season and snap a three game losing slide, but they would come up short 79-76 at the Carter Center on the campus of Concord University. With the loss NDC fell to 1-7 and 0-4 in the MEC. Concord improved to 4-5 and 2-2 in the MEC with the victory.
NDC was led by Levi Frankland who knocked down four 3-pointer's on his way to 20 points. He was one of four NDC players to score in double figures today. Larenz Thurman scored 13 points- grabbed six rebounds- and- dished out six assists in the defeat. Both Drew Scarberry and Bruce Hodges tallied 11 points on the night. NDC shot 46 percent from the field- 45 percent (13-29) from the 3-point line- and- 56 percent (5-9) at the free throw line. Jacob Sala also gave the Falcons solid minutes as he works his way back from an injury. Sala made all three of his field goal attempts- as he would net seven points- and- four rebounds in 12 minutes of action. NDC had 14 assists- and- eight turnovers for the game.
DeAnthony Owens talked about the game as a whole and then the difference Sala makes:
" Sala was the X factor on the court. It was a game that we let slip thru our hands. This loss hit different- and- with that being said I have confidence we won't lose to many more. The ball will be rolling after we get one against Davis and Elkins on Thursday."Owens said.
Hodges gave his quick thought:
" First off it's great to see Sala out there- we will get better- and- learn from this one."Hodges mentioned.
Concord was led by Ethan Heller who scored 20 points on the day- Trey Brisco added 17- Martin Kelly Jr. chipped in 15- and- Liam Evans scored 12. The Mountain Lions shot 51 percent as a team- 54 percent (14-26) from the 3-point line- and- 29 percent (5-17) from the free throw line. The Mountain Lions won the rebounding battle 36-24. They had 16 assists- and- 13 turnovers in the contest.
The game would feature 12 lead changes- and- four ties. NDC would score the first six points to start as both Frankland and Scarberry would connect on 3-pointer's. Concord would go on top 10-8 after a quick run of their own before Hodges would knock down a 3-ball to make it 11-10 NDC. Martin and Hodges would then trade 3-pointer's. After a Sala old fashioned three-point play at the 14:52 mark of the half NDC held a 17-13 edge. After each team would go on a run NDC would knot the game at 23 after a Owens dunk midway thru the half. The Mountain Lions then scored the next eight points before NDC got a Thurman 3-ball- a Frankland layup- and- a Sala layup to get within one (31-30.) It would be 39-37 Concord at the half.
NDC shot 42 percent from the field in the opening half- 41 percent (7-17) from the 3-point line- and- 67 percent (2-3) at the free throw line in the opening 20 minutes. The Falcons had nine assists- and- three turnovers in the half.
The Mountain Lions shot 47 percent from the field- 50 percent (8-16) from the 3-point line- and- 14 percent (1-7) at the free throw line. Heller had 16 points in the first stanza- while Kelly had nine.
NDC would get back to back 3-pointer's. One by Frankland and then another by Owens to put them up 43-40 early. Scarberry made a 3-pointer at the 16:35 mark- before the Mountain Lions went on a 8-0 run capped by a Martin 3-ball that made it 53-46. NDC would find themselves down nine (64-55) at the 9:10 mark. It would stay in Concord's favor as the Mountain Lions led 75-68 with 1:59 to go. After a Scarberry 3-pointer Briscoe split a pair of free throws and then Thurman would hit his third triple of the game to make it 76-74 with 38 ticks on the clock. Malik Johnson and Hodges would trade layups. After Heller split a pair of free throws NDC would have one last chance. Thurman would get the rebound dribble to the 3-point line- but it was to late when he passed off to Frankland in the corner as time expired.
Thurman talked about the last possession as well as having Sala back:
" Glad to have Sala back. As for that last play I thought I had an extra second on the clock.
Scarberry gave his thoughts on the game:
" I thought that we came out and fought today. Have to do a better job on the boards since we are an undersized team. Like everyone else said Sala was a huge part for us tonight and we need to continue getting better everyday."
NDC will be back in action Thursday when they travel to Davis and Elkins. Tip time is set for 7:30 PM.
Other MEC Scores:
Glenville State 79 Urbana 62
Wheeling 84 West Virginia Wesleyan 70
Fairmont State 94 West Virginia State 89
Charleston 107 Frostburg State 87
West Liberty 103 Davis&Elkins 73
MEC Standings:
Fairmont State 3-1 (5-1)
Glenville State 3-1 (6-2)
West Liberty 3-1 (6-2)
Wheeling 3-1 (6-2)
West Virginia State 2-2 (5-2)
Concord 2-2 (4-5)
Davis & Elkins 2-2 (4-5)
West Virginia Wesleyan 2-2 (2-7)
Frostburg State 1-3 (2-6)
Urbana 1-3 (2-6)
NDC 0-4 (1-7)
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