The Notre Dame College Falcons saw a dream season come to an end in the NCAA Tournament 89-81 on Saturday afternoon on the campus of IUP. Will Vorhees led the Falcons with 44 points and 10 rebounds- while Isaiah Sanders had 11.
Coach Tim Koenig talked afterwards:
" That was a really good team.They are 12th or 13th in the country for a reason. We battled- scratched- and clawed. The shots that we normally knock down did not fall today. It was a hell of a run. Winning the conference tournament for the first time ever and making it to the national tournament for the first time in school history."Koenig said.
Koenig spoke about the support that has been received all season long and when the team plays it's best:
" We have played our best when our backs are against the wall. We have great character people in our program. Thank you to all the families- administration. To my wife and two kids along with my parents. We are gone a lot and put in a lot of time. I would like to thank all those people publicly. "Koenig added.
As for the game today:
" Sometimes the ball does not fall. They limited us to one shot for the most part. It is a testament to our team that we shot that poorly from the 3-point line and were still in that game down the stretch.
As for throwing as many bodies at him as possible Vorhees said:
"They have been doing that to me all year so I guess I am used to it. "
As for how his roll changed with Hodges and Thurman injured:
" Larenz and Bruce are such key pieces to what we do as a team. I just try and make the right basketball play. With those two guys banged up and Renz not able to go after the first minute it just means I get to shoot more."
Sanders gave his thoughts about what he learned this season:
"Could not really have imagined all this happening my Freshman year. I learned a lot from the older guys like Renz and Will. It will be my time to step up next season."
Vorhees had his 23rd double-double of the season on Saturday as he had 44 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Sanders added 11- Halil Parks chipped in nine- and- Drew Scarberry scored eight. NDC shot 42 percent from the field as a team. They shot 21 percent (6-28) from the 3-point line- and- shot at a 94 percent clip (17-18) from the free throw line. The Falcons edged VSU on the boards 37-36. They had 14 assists- and- 12 turnovers as a team.
The Trojans shot 49 percent from the field- 50 percent (12-24) from the 3-point line- and- 77 percent (23-30) from the free throw line. The Trojans had 15 assists and 14 turnovers as a team. VSU was led by Brandon Holley with 18- while Melvin Cyonte and Armond Griebe each scored 14. Jalen Jackson netted 13- Jahmere Howze had 11- and- Andrew Corum netted 10.
The game got off to a quick start for NDC as they would lead 12-0 in the early going. The Trojans would not get there first field goal of the contest until more than six minutes in. Virginia State would battle back and take the first lead of the game with under five minutes to go in the opening half. The Trojans would take a 35-30 lead into the halftime break.
Koenig talked about some changes he had to make on the fly today:
" We had to go to some guys who did not play that much during the season with the injuries that we had. Dan Lott played some- Parks played a lot- Angelo Cugini played more than he has in a long time- and- Cole Hayes at the end. You never know when your number will be called."
Vorhees talked about it as well:
"It was tough without Bruce and Renz. They are huge pieces for us. It was tough to do it without them."
NDC came out strong again in the second half. It would be a tie game at 42 with 16:53 to go. Then VSU would go on a 19-3 run to open up a 61-45 lead with 9:53 to go. The Trojans would lead by 22 (69-47) but NDC would not go away quietly. NDC would get as close as six (85-79) with 31 seconds to go but that is as close as the Falcons would get as Virginia State advanced to tomorrow's second round.
Vorhees talked about his teammates leaving everything on the floor:
" We gave everything we had to win that MEC tournament. I was a little busted up as well but not as bad as Bruce and Renz were. "
Koenig talked about not being in the first round of interviews for this job:
"I was not in the first round of interviews for this job but Scott Swain always believed in me."
Koenig thanked everyone:
"First I would like to thank the Seniors. Angelo Cugini- Will Vorhees- and- Dan Atcheson.I could not have asked for better leaders both on and off the court. They showed the intangibles all season long. I love this group of guys. "
Vorhees talked about his relationship with his coaches:
" Coach Koenig and Coach Baab always believed in me and instilled confidence in me. They told me I was the best player in the country even when I wasn't.
"Also now is a good time to thank the season ticket holders as well. Obviously not just the seniors but all the players."
Lastly I would like to make it official:
"Will Vorhees is the best player in the history of our program. I am not sure exactly when it will be retired SIbut no one will ever wear #41 again in NDC history, it will hang from the rafters. Some people got to see him play for the first time today and some have had the chance to watch him play all season. I think you will all agree this is a good decision."
Vorhees is first all time in NDC history in points and field goals made. He is second in school history in rebounds and 17th in all of D2 in points scored.
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