The Notre Dame College Falcons (10-9 5-8 MEC) welcome the Concord University Mountain Lions (14-4 9-4 MEC) to Murphy Gym tomorrow (Wednesday February 7th) night at Murphy Gym in South Euclid. You can catch all the action on MountainEast.TV as tip time is slated for 7:30 PM.
"It was a really good game down there last time. We obviously came up short in overtime. Concord is playing well and doesn't beat themselves. They have really balanced scoring. We are going to have to do a good job on defense. We need to keep them out of the paint as they present a lot of problems with their size and athleticism," NDC head coach Mark Richmond explained.
Last time out NDC lost to Davis & Elkins 93-80 on Saturday. Devin Haid paced NDC with 21 points while RJ Ogom added 15. NDC shot 40.1 percent from the field, 34.8 percent from the 3-point line (8-23,) and 61.5 percent (16-26) from the free throw line. NDC scores 82.5 points per game which is sixth in the MEC, shoots an MEC sixth best 45.1 percent from the field, an MEC eighth best 34.8 percent from the 3-point line, and an MEC worst 69.9 percent from the free throw line. On defense the Falcons give up an MEC seventh best 82.5 points per game, are seventh in field goal percentage defense (44.5 percent,) 35.4 percent guarding the 3-point line (ninth MEC,) and are an MEC seventh best -0.4 (38.2-38.6) rebounds per night. They are sixth in turnover margin, fifth in assist to turnover ratio, third in assists per game (15.32,) and block an MEC third best as well as top 20 in the country 4.63 blocks per game. They are also top 30 in the country in fast break points (14.44 per contest.) In the overtime loss back in December Devin Haid scored 20, Andre Harris netted 13, and Jevontae Jones chipped in 11. Haid leads the team in scoring at an MEC ninth best 14.2 points per game while shooting an MEC fifth best 48.5 percent from the field. The redshirt sophomore shoots an MEC sixth best 82.6 percent from the free throw line, the Wooster native blocks an MEC eighth best 1.0 shots per game, while he gets an MEC 10th best 1.4 steals per night. Redshirt junior Andre Harris scores 12.2 per game and an MEC seventh best 6.5 rebounds per game which leads the team. Ogom puts up 10.6 points per night while he is shooting an MEC leading 89.1 percent from the free throw line which is 29th in the country. Gbolahan Adio rounds out the double digit scorers at 10.2 per night. Richmond talked offense:
"We are going to have to continue to take care of the ball and get great shots."
Concord (14-4 9-4 MEC) is coming off a 82-72 win over Bluefield State last night (Monday 2/5.) Kollin Tolbert led CU with 18, Jordan Wooden added 14, JJ Harper scored 10, while Rene Diop added 10 to go along with 10 rebounds. The Mountain Lions score 80.2 points per game which is ninth in the MEC, shoot 45.1 percent from the floor which is sixth in the MEC, shoot 33.4 percent from the 3-point line which is 10th in the MEC, and shoot an MEC second best 75.4 percent from the free throw line which is second in the MEC. On the defensive end they give up an MEC fourth best 75.3 points per night, hold the opposition to 40.3 percent from the field which is second in the MEC. They are ninth guarding the 3-point line (35.4 percent) as well. The Mountain Lions lead the MEC and are eighth in all of Division II blocking 5.1 shots per game while they are tops in the MEC and 11th in the country at +7 (44.9-37.9) on the glass. In the first meeting with NDC Jevon Laidler had 29, Tolbert netted 15, and Diop added 11.
Richmond gave this thought;
"We are looking forward to this one. This team (Concord) has good size and length on the post as well as the wings. They also have guards who are good rebounders. We will have to move them defensively. We will have to avoid taking forced shots on offense. When we get in trouble against guys like they have is when we try and shoot over two-three guys. We will have to get in the paint and play inside-out. We will need to take angles to get all the way to the rim."
"We need to finish the game, play together for 40 minutes, and make plays for each other on both ends of the floor," NDC guard Josh Dames.
Other MEC Games Wednesday:
Charleston @ Fairmont State
West Virginia State @ Frostburg State
Glenville State @ Salem
West Virginia Wesleyan @ Wheeling
Davis & Elkins @ West Liberty
MEC Standings:
Charleston 11-2 (16-3)
West Virginia State 10-3 (14-5)
West Liberty 9-3 (15-5)
Concord 9-4 (14-4)
Fairmont State 8-5 (15-5)
Davis & Elkins 7-5 (12-8)
Glenville State 6-7 (10-10)
NDC 5-8 (10-9)
Wheeling 2-11 (5-14)
Frostburg State 2-11 (2-18)
West Virginia Wesleyan 1-11 (2-18)
Comments