The Notre Dame College Falcons travel to Charleston, West Virginia to take on the Charleston Golden Eagles on Saturday afternoon. Tip time is at 4 PM from the Wehrle Innovation Center. You can catch all the action on NotreDameFalcons.com
NDC (7-2 4-1 MEC) is coming off a 95-84 win over West Virginia State on Wednesday night. Larenz Thurman and Will Vorhees each had double-doubles in the victory. Thurman had 23 points and 10 assists- while Vorhees had 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Drew Scarberry knocked down four 3-pointer's on his way to 14 points- Bruce Hodges knocked down three 3-pointer's on his way to 11 points- while Angelo Cugini and Isaiah Sanders added 10 points each. The Falcons shot 49 percent from the field- 47 percent from the 3-point line- and- 85 percent from the free throw line. The Falcons had 15 assists and eight turnovers as a team in the contest.
NDC comes into the game averaging 84.7 points a game- while they give up 78.6 per contest. They are out rebounding the opponent by 2.2 rebounds a contest (40-37.8.)
Vorhees leads the season box score averaging 23 points and 10.6 rebounds a contest. Thurman is scoring 21.8 per night to go along with a team leading 4.7 assists per contest. Sanders (14.2 points per game-) and- Halil Parks (13.3 points per night ) also average in double figures. Cugini is averaging 9.8 points and a team leading 11.4 rebounds per night.
Charleston (6-3 2-3 MEC) was a 81-79 winner at Urbana on Wednesday. Drew Rackley scored 22 points- Lamont McManus added 21- and- Josh Floyd scored 10. The Golden Eagles shot 51 percent from the field- 68 percent at the free throw line- and- 29 percent (2-7) from the 3-point line. They had 11 assists and nine turnovers as a team. As a team Charleston is scoring 90.8 points per game- while they allow 82 points per night.
Rackley leads the Golden Eagles in scoring at 23.2 points per game- while Adam TraOre scores 14.7 points a game to go along with 5.3 rebounds per night. Devon Robinson puts up 14.6 points a night and leads the team in rebounding at 7.8 rebounds per night. McManus (11 points per game-) Seth O' Neal (10.3 points and 3.9 assists a game-) and- Floyd (10.2 a game) also average in double figures.
Coach Tim Koenig talked about what to expect from Charleston:
" They are a really good team led by Rackley and Robinson. These two guys are really good. Rackley is good enough to go off for 47 in a game like he did against Shepherd- and- Robinson has had multiple double digit rebound games. As a team Charleston is very athletic and skilled. They can really score the basketball- and- like to get out in transition. They are really efficient in the half court as well."
On the Falcons leading the league in field goal percentage defense:
" The last couple games have not been as good from a field goal percentage defense standpoint. We lost one game and won one in that span. We have our work cut out for us against this Charleston team. Like all teams in our league- Charleston can score. We will put in a few wrinkles in for Charleston but our basic defense will remain the same."
On rebounding and the bench:
" Obviously having Vorhees and Cugini out there always helps you from a rebounding standpoint. Of course with rebounding comes loose balls as well. As for the bench we will keep going to the bench, we will not shy away from guys. They will get there opportunities. Have to be ready when your number is called is what that comes down to."
As is the case with every game though it comes down to three keys:
" Taking care of the ball- rebounding- and- taking good shots. We do those three things and we will be in good shape."
Vorhees agreed with Koenig about defense:
" We pride ourselves on defense and I think we have done a decent job on the defensive end thus far this season. Against an offensive team like Charleston I think if we hold them under 70 we win the ballgame."
On getting double teamed on offense and being part of a double team on defense:
"I have been double-teamed every game since my sophomore year so it is not something I am not used to. If a hard double comes I will kick it to a teammate and they will score."
"On the defensive end we have not talked about double-teaming yet. If we do I will be prepared and in my spot."
Sanders gave his thoughts on the game:
" We are a defensive minded team this year. I feel like no matter how good your team is on offense it is the defense that wins. For me I feel like I can guard anyone. The last couple games have been a good learning experience for me. I was upset with how I played against West Liberty but I did not let it affect me in the West Virginia State game. That benefited me and I came back strong in the game against West Virginia State. For me and my teammates it is always good to get out in the open floor and get a dunk or two to get everyone going."
Other MEC Games Saturday:
Glenville State @ Virginia Wise
Wheeling Jesuit @Shepherd
West Liberty @Fairmont State (Sunday)
MEC Standings:
West Liberty 5-0 (7-1)
Fairmont State 5-0 (7-2)
NDC 4-1 (7-2)
Concord 4-1 (6-2)
Charleston 2-3 (6-3)
Glenville State 2-3 (5-3)
Shepherd 2-3 (5-3)
West Virginia Wesleyan 2-3 (4-4)
Virginia Wise 2-3 (4-5)
Urbana 1-4 (2-6)
West Virginia State 1-4 (2-6)
Wheeling Jesuit 0-5 (0-8)
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