The Notre Dame College Falcons used a huge second half and came away with a 100-72 win over the Urbana Blue Knights in front of a near capacity crowd and extra media at Murphy Gym on Saturday. Redshirt senior Will Vorhees became the first player in MEC history to collect 2,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds in a career in this one.
Coach Tim Koenig talked about Vorhees:
" Will Vorhees is one of a kind. He is a smart player- he is also a leader. He has great stats but honestly he doesn't care about the stats he just wants to help his team win. He is a wonderful person and representative of our program. He is the face of our program." Koenig said.
He went on to talk about the team win and the impact Bruce Hodges had in the game as he scored just two points- but had 11 rebounds- and- nine assists:
" We were very intelligent today- for the most part our shot selection was really good. We got the ball inside to Will. As for Bruce- he impacted the game in a lot of ways, especially on the defensive end. We also played inside-out and we made some shots. In particular Larenz made shots in the first half." Koenig said.
Larenz Thurman led the Falcons with 31 points as he knocked down eight 3-pointer's- seven in the opening half. Vorhees added 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds- while both Drew Scarberry and Halil Parks added 11 points each.
NDC (13-5 9-3 MEC) shot 55 percent as a team- 47 percent (14-30) from the 3-point line- and- 80 percent (12-15) from the free throw line. NDC won the rebounding battle 52-24. The Falcons had 24 assists and 16 turnovers.
Koenig gave his thoughts:
" I did not know that the rebounding numbers were that one sided. That was one hell of a game on the glass by us."
Vorhees talked about the game afterwards:
" We continue to say it. Renz is the best pg in the nation- not only can he facilitate but if teams are going to play the roll man so tight he's going to have games like this every time. That's why this team is so dangerous. We have many weapons and everyone plays there role perfectly. Bruce is our motor- he keeps us going- does all the dirty work and and asks for nothing in return. One of the most unselfish guys I have ever played with."
Vorhees then joked about rebounds:
" He better stop stealing my rebounds though or we're gonna have a problem."
Then Vorhees finished his thought:
We have guys stepping up and playing hard and hitting shots- this is my favorite NDC squad since i've been here at NDC."
Hodges talked about the contest:
" It was a great team win. We came out and did everything we wanted. We rebounded the ball really well. Will is still the best player in the nation- not many people do what he did. That guy is amazing."
Then the joking about rebounding between teammates continued:
" If he (Vorhees-) and- HP take any more rebounds of mine we are going to have a problem."
Then Hodges finished his quote:
" As for Larenz- the kid wasn't missing. He was on a different level."
Isaiah Sanders was unable to play due to an injury but talked about how he can't wait to return:
" Can't wait to get back. NDC plays hard for you guys. U guys been hoopin'- I feel left out."
Thurman spoke after the win:
"It was a great team win. Everyone played well and stuck to the defensive scheme that coach came up with. Will being the first MEC player to get to 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds is a testament to his hard work and shows how much of a beast he is. As far as Bruce- we feed off his energy- and- he is the guy that gets us going. This team has so many weapons that it's hard to guard us."
Urbana 5-11 (3-9 MEC) was paced by Malik Jacobs with 26 points- while Datrey Long added 15. The Blue Knight shot 41 percent as a team- they shot 38 percent (12-32) from the 3-point line- 44 percent (8-18) from the free throw line. The Blue Knights had 11 assists and nine turnovers as a team.
Koenig talked about changes when the Falcons found out Urbana leading scorer Matt Treacy would not play today:
" With Treacy being out the matchups definitely changed. The guy is a stud. He is scoring 20-25 points a game- and- has been playing absolutely great lately. He scored 33 against Fairmont State. We expected him to start and play big minutes in the contest."
Urbana would score the first six points to begin the contest. Then the next six would belong to Vorhees. After a Halil Parks 3-pointer the game would be tied then Scarberry would hit a 3-ball to put the Falcons up 12-9. After a Ethan Snapp jumper Urbana led 24-22 but Thurman would answer with his third 3-pointer of the half to put NDC on top 25-24 with 10:01 in the opening half. Thurman would hit three more 3-balls- and- Vorhees would add a layup to give NDC a 14 point lead (38-24) with 5:35 in the opening half. Urbana would cut the lead to single digits before Thurman would hit his seventh 3-pointer of the opening stanza. After a Cole Hayes 3-pointer right before the halftime break the Falcons would take a 16 point advantage (48-32) into the locker room.
Thurman led the Falcons with 23 points in the opening half as he went seven of eight from the 3-point line. He was eight of 10 overall. Thurman added five rebounds- three assists and a steal in the opening stanza. Vorhees was the only other Falcon in double figures with 14 to go along with five rebounds in the first half. NDC shot 56 percent as a team- 53 percent (10-19) from the 3-point line. They did not shoot a free throw in the opening half. The Falcons dominated the glass- out'rebounding Urbana 24-6 in the first 20 minutes. They had 13 assists and eight turnovers.
Urbana was led by Jacobs with 11- while Jordan Bradley had seven. The Blue Knights shot 48 percent as a team- 46 percent (6-13) from the 3-point line- and- 40 percent (2-5) from the free throw line in the opening half. Urbana had seven assists and five turnovers as a team in the half.
The Falcons came out motivated in the second half and put the game out of reach. NDC would lead by as many as 36 points after a pair of Dan Lott free throws at the 4:44 mark. The final margin would be 28 points (100-72.)
Koenig talked about the first 10 minutes of the second half:
" We were really good in the first 10 minutes of the second half especially on the defensive end."
NDC will be back in action Wednesday when they travel to West Virginia State. Tip time is set for 7:30 PM and you can catch the action on NotreDameFalcons.com
Other MEC Scores Saturday:
Charleston 92 West Virginia State 80
West Virginia Wesleyan 94 Glenville State 83
Concord 83 Virginia Wise 82
Fairmont State 73 Shepherd 66
West Liberty 118 Wheeling Jesuit 74
MEC Standings:
Fairmont State 11-1 (14-4)
West Liberty 11-1 (15-2)
NDC 9-3 (13-5)
Concord 8-4 (12-5)
Charleston 7-5 (12-6)
Shepherd 6-6 (10-8)
West Virginia State 6-6 (9-9)
West Virginia Wesleyan 5-7 (8-10)
Urbana 3-9 (5-11)
Virginia Wise 3-9 (5-12)
Glenville State 2-10 (7-11)
Wheeling Jesuit 1-11 (2-16)
Комментарии