The Notre Dame College Falcons hit the century mark for the first time this season in a 100-89 win over the Washington Adventist University Shock that runs the teams win streak to three. With the win NDC improves to 5-5 and 2-4 in the MEC. WAU falls to 5-7 with the loss.
"Found a way to win at a tough place to play," NDC head coach Mark Richmond mentioned.
The two teams traded buckets in the early going. After a layup by Shyheem Gilkerson the Falcions tied it as Javontae Jones tipped in a miss at the 18:20 mark of the first half. Senior Davin Zeigler hit a 3-ball to put NDC up three but a 3-pointer by Tunde Scrivner knotted the game at 5. With the game tied at seven NDC went on a 6-0 run as freshman Cameron Johnson made a hoop and was fouled. The free throw gave NDC a three point lead. RJ Ogom then knocked down a 3-ball to stretch the lead to six (13-7)with 15 minutes until halftime. The Shock would pull to within three until another Zeigler 3-ball made it 19-13 Falcons with 11:36 in the half. The lead stretched to double digits (26-15) as Zeigler scored again with 9:09 in the half. Redshirt sophomore Devin Haid and freshman Robbie Cass knocked down triples to make it a 32-17 NDC lead with 6:24 in the opening stanza. The lead would stay double digits much of the remainder of the half until a pair of Isaiah Anderson free throws made the NDC lead six (38-32) with 50 seconds until halftime. Adio hit a 3-pointer and a Johnson jump shot gave the Falcons a 43-33 lead as both teams headed to the locker room.
Zeigler led the Falcons with 12 in the opening half while both Ogom and Johnson scored eight. As a team NDC shot 46.9 percent from the field, 41.2 percent (7-17) from the 3-point line, and 85.7 percent (6-7) from the free throw line. The Falcons had nine assists and 10 turnovers in the opening half.
For the Shock they were led by Tundu Scivner with six while Michael Brown had five. WAU shot 40 percent from the field, 3-11 (27.3 percent) from the 3-point line, and 62.5 percent (10-16) from the free throw line in the half. They had two assists and seven turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.
NDC came out in the second half and saw the Shock score the first four points. A pair of Adio free throws at the 18:30 mark put NDC back up by eight. Brown would hit a 3-pointer to get WAU within five before Haid hit a free throw after a techincal foul. It became a three point possession when Zeigler scored on a layup. The Shock pulled within three (50-47) on a pair of Bundu free throws at the 13:43 mark. Trent Williams hit a 3-pointer and Haid scored at the free throw line. After a Haid tip in and another 3-pointer by Williams NDC was on a 9-0 run that gave them a 12 point lead (59-47) iwith 11:34 on the clock. The Falcons lead was 13 (66-53) after junior Josh Dames hit a shot from the 3-point line with 9:09 to go. Williams again hit from long range and the lead was 16 (69-53.) After a Ogom triple at the 8:05 mark it was a 72-55 NDC lead. After a pair of Williams free throws and a Haid jam NDC looked to be in control up 21 (76-55.) The lead grew to 25 (81-56) at the 6:34 mark. The Shock would go on a 9-0 run before Ogom scored at the 5:33 mark. Jamarr Talbert Jr. made two free throws at the 4:20 mark and the lead was 19 (88-69.) The Shock would pull within 10 at the 2:04 mark. NDC would do just enough down the stretch to finish this one off.
Richmond gave these thoughts:
"Did not close out either half like we needed to. We've got a chance to be a good team if we can clean up our turnovers. We're getting better defensively but when we give the other team the ball it's hard to get stops."
NDC was led by Zeigler with 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Willams (15,) Ogom (13,) and Johnson (12) scored in double figures off the bench. Haid(13) and Adio (11) also scored in double figures. As a team NDC shot 50.8 percent from the floor, 48,1 percent (13-27) from the 3-point line, and 79.3 percent (23-29) from the free throw line. They won the rebounding battle 38-30. The Falcons had 17 assists and 25 turnovers in the contest.
WAU was paced by Brown with 22, Lee had 14, Anderson scored 13, while both Scrivner and Bundu tallied 12. As a team the Shock shot 42.9 percent from the floor, 35.7 percent (10-28) from the 3-point line, and 69.4 percent (25-36) from the free throw line. They had 10 assists and 15 turnovers in the contest.
"We're figuring it out. Playing harder on defense and sharing the ball. Still need to cut down turnovers but besides that I think we're going in the right direction," Ogom explained.
"Just wanted to get the win the right way. Need to work on taking care of the ball more," Adio mentioned.
NDC will be back in action on 12.30 when they take on D'Youville in South Euclid. Tip time is slated for 3 PM.
MEC Scores this week:
Domican 112 West Liberty 101 (Sun.)
Angelo State 101 West Liberty 98 (Mon.)
Malone 71 West Virginia Wesleyan 59
Glenville State vs Penn State Mont Alto (Tues) 11 AM
West Virginia Wesleyan vs Walsh 3 PM (Tues.)
MEC Standings:
Charleston 5-1 (7-2)
West Liberty 4-1 (8-3)
Davis & Elkins 4-1 (8-3)
Concord 3-1 (7-1)
Glenville State 3-2 (5-5)
West Virginia State 3-3 (6-5)
Fairmont State 2-3 (6-3)
Wheeling 2-3 (4-6)
NDC 2-4 (5-5)
Frostburg State 1-5 (1-10)
West Virginia Wesleyan 0-5 (1-10)
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