The Notre Dame College Falcons (16-11 12-9 MEC) close out the regular season as they take on the Alderson Broaddus Battlers (10-16 8-13 MEC) at Rex Pyles Arena in Phillipi,West Virginia. Tip time is slated for 4 PM. You can catch all the action on the Mountain East Conference Digital Network at MountainEast.TV
"Obviously never easy to win on the road. We'll have to play really well in Phillipi on Saturday, "NDC head coach Mark Richmond explained.
NDC is coming off a 100-57 loss to West Liberty last time out. The trio of Obinna Ugwuakazi, Daylin Lee, and Kaleb Torrence each tallied 10 points in the defeat. Ugwuakazi also had a team leading nine rebounds.
Richmond talked about the focus of the team the last couple days:
"Guys have had good energy. This late in the year we do not have that much practice time remaining. We had a couple short workouts since the loss on Wednesday night. We will be ready to play on Saturday."
"We have to get back to playing our style and get a good feeling back before we start the conference tournament next week, "NDC senior Jaedon Willis said
In the first meeting between the Battlers and the Falcons NDC was a 79-65 winner. Willis led the with 22, DeAirius Barker had 13, Ugwuakazi netted 13, Tyland Crawford notched 11, and Jamarr Talbert chipped in 10.
Richmond talked about the first meeting:
"Thought we really competed at a high level the first time we played them. Defensively we were really, really good in both halves. I thought it was our best 40 minute effort on the defensive end all year. It will take a similar effort down there. They are good at home. They shoot the ball well in their home arena. We will have to take our defense with us."
NDC puts up 81.3 points per game which is good for eighth in the MEC. On the defensive end they have held the opposition to 76.2 points per contest which is second in the MEC. On the glass the Falcons are +0.1 (38.5-38.4) rebounds per night which is seventh in the league. They shoot 44 percent from the floor which is 11th in the MEC and shoots 36 percent from the 3-point line which is fifth in the conference. They also shoot an MEC second best 76 percent at the free throw line. They are the top team in the MEC in both field goal percentage against (43 percent) and hold the opposition to 29 percent shooting from the 3-point line.
Willis paces the season box score notching 20.9 points per game which is good for second in the MEC and 23rd in the country. The senior is also just outside the top 20 in the country with 565 total points on the season. The Baltimore native shoots 41 percent from the field, is third in the MEC shooting 40 percent from the 3-point line, and is fourth in the MEC draining 2.8 triples per contest. He shoots at a MEC second best 89 percent clip from the free throw line. Wilis is fifth in the country in free throws made (160) and 21st in free throws attempted (180.) Barker is second on the team in scoring chipping in 11.8 points per contest while he leads the team and is ninth in the league dishing out 3.2 assists per night. Ugwuakazi leads the team on the glass grabbing 6.1 rebounds per game.
The Battlers are coming off of a 86-76 win over Wheeling last time out. Jalen Knott led six AB players in double figures with 23 points. Jon King added 12, while Rice, Collins, Taliek Walker, and Sirr Hughes all tallied 11 points. AB scores 76.9 points per game which is 11th in the MEC and gives up an MEC eighth best 82.9 points per contest. They shoot 45 percent which is ninth in the MEC while the opposition shoots 50 percent from the field which puts the Battlers 11th in the conference in field goal percentage against. They shoot at a 37 percent clip from the 3-point line which is fourth in the MEC while they allow the opposition to shoot 37 percent from long distance which is good for eighth in the conference on the defensive end. On the glass the Battlers are eighth in the conference being out-rebounded by 0.1 (33.9-34.0) boards per night.
Knott leads the team putting up 18 points per game, King leads the team grabbing 5.6 rebounds per contest to go with his 12.5 points per night. Zach Simpkin's (10.7) per game, Kobe Tigney (10.4 points per game) and Rice (10 points per game) all average double digits on the season. Rice leads the team and is ninth in the MEC dishing out 3.2 assists per contest.
In the first meeting with the Falcons King was the lone Battler in double figures with 21 points while Walker and Knott each tallied nine.
Richmond gave his final thoughts:
"We get a lot of our offense through our defense. When we get stops we need to push the ball and sprint in transition. That is a good way for us to get some easy baskets and quick points in those situations."
Other MEC Games Saturday:
West Virginia Wesleyan @ Davis & Elkins
Glenville State @ Concord
Wheeling @ West Liberty
West Virginia State @ Charleston
Frostburg State @ Fairmont State
MEC Standings:
West Liberty 19-2 (24-3)
Fairmont State 16-5 (21-6)
Charleston 16-5 (19-8)
West Virginia State 13-8 (19-8)
NDC 12-9 (16-11)
Davis & Elkins 11-10 (17-10)
Glenville State 11-10 (15-12)
Concord 10-11 (14-13)
Alderson Broaddus 8-13 (10-16)
Wheeling 4-17 (6-21)
Frostburg State 4-17 (8-19)
West Virginia Wesleyan 2-19 (2-24)
Atlantic Region Rankings:
Indiana (PA) 25-1
West Liberty 23-3
MercyHurst 20-4
Virginia Union 21-6
Fairmont State 19-6
Pitt-Johnstown 18-7
West Chester 19-7
East Stroudsburg 20-7
Millersville 15-9
Charleston (WV 18-9)
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