The Notre Dame College Falcons and Fairmont State Fighting Falcons seem to play tight games almost exclusively. Saturday was no different as the Fighting Falcons came away with an 85-83 win at Joe Rhetton Arena on Saturday. With the win #23 Fairmont improved to 11-2 and 6-2 in the MEC. NDC fell to 9-5 and 6-2 in the MEC after the loss.
NDC Head Coach Mark Richmond talked about his team's fight afterwords:
"We really battled today, we unfortunately came up short,"Richmond mentioned. "These games are fragile and there are a few possessions we'd like to have back. Overall i'm proud of how we played. We'll watch the film and continue to learn and get better. Winning on the road against good teams is difficult but we're getting closer."
Tyland Crawford agreed:
" We battled today and it didn't go our way,"Crawford mentioned.
The Fighting Falcons jumped out to a 20-7 lead after a George Mangas jumper with 12:36 in the opening half. Down 12 (30-18) with 7:30 in the first half John Godinez knocked down a triple, while Willis and Mike Kirkland scored to pull the deficit to five (30-25) with 5:47 in the opening half. After a pair free throws for Fairmont NDC would go on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 32 after a Mike Sampson jumper with 3:07 in the half. After a Fairmont free throw NDC took the lead as Jaedon Willis made a layup and Sam Jackson scored with 1:15 in the half. After a 3-pointer by Willis with three seconds in the half, the Falcons took a 39-35 lead into the locker room.
NDC shot 52 percent from the field and 36 percent from the 3-point line (4-11) from the 3-point line in the first 20 minutes. They shot 71 percent (5-7) from throw line in the opening stanza. The Fighting Falcons shot 36 percent from the field and 23 percent (3-13) from the 3-point line along with 67 percent (8-12) from the free throw line in the half.
Fairmont Head Coach Tim Koenig talked about the first half:
" We had some really good looks in the first half, especially late, and could not make a shot. NDC hit some big shots so you have to give them credit. Zay (Isaiah Sanders) was big for us early,"Koenig explained.
The second half started as a Sanders 3-pointer would give Fairmont a 45-43 lead with 15:49 on the clock. Sanders hit another 3-pointer but Tyland Crawford answered with a 3-ball of his own. The lead was extended to eight for Fairmont as Sanders converted a four point play with 12:46 to go. NDC was down eight (67-59) when Kirkland hit a jumper for NDC. Von Handorf stretched the lead back to eight for Fairmont. It was a 74-67 NDC deficit when Godinez hit a jumper and Kirkland knocked down a 3-pointer to make it a 74-72 game.
Koenig talked about Kirkland:
"Kirkland was huge off the bench for NDC in this one."
A Willis 3-pointer at the 3:48 mark put NDC on top 75-74. Briggs Parris hit a pair of free throws and George Mangas a jumper to make it 78-75 with 2:02 to go.
Koenig talked about that:
" Mangas and Briggs made some big plays down the stretch for us."
Willis knocked down a 3-pointer to knot the game at 78 with 1:16 to go.
Koenig gave Willis credit:
"Willis hit some tough shots. You have to give him credit."
Von Handorf hit what proved to be the game winner. Koenig talked about him:
"Cole was huge for us tonight."
After a DeAirius Barker layup Von Handorf split a pair of free throws to make it 83-80 with 14 seconds on the clock. John Godinez made a pair of free throws to make it a one point game. Sanders hit two free throws of his own with 6.2 seconds to make it a three point game again (85-82.) Willis was fouled. He made the first free throw and intentionally missed the second, Wills gathered the rebound but time expired before he could get a shot away.
Koenig talked about the game:
"It was a really good game. Two good teams going at it."
NDC was led by 23 points from Willis, Crawford added 14, and Kirkland had 13. The Falcons shot 52 percent from the field, 39 percent (10-26) from the 3-point line, and 79 percent (11-14) at the free throw line. They won the rebounding battle 34-30. They had 16 assists and 10 turnovers as a team.
Fairmont was led by 27 points from Von Handorf, 23 from Sanders, and 10 each from Mangas and Zyon Dobbs. The Fighting Falcons shot 45 percent from the field, 32 percent (9-28) from the 3-point line, and 75 percent (24-32) from the free throw line. They had 18 assists and six turnovers as a team.
Koenig talked about a big key:
"We did a really good job of taking care of the ball. Six turnovers was a big key to this win."
Isaiah Sanders talked about the win for Fairmont:
"It was a great team win. Everyone who was in produced and those who were on the bench brought good energy. Proud of our team, "Sanders said.
Crawford gave his final thought for NDC:
"Tough loss but we have to regroup and get ready for Wednesday on the road. Another big road game for us."
NDC will be back in action Wednesday when they travel to West Virginia State. Tip time is set for 7:30 PM.
Other MEC Scores Saturday:
Concord 92 Wheeling 84
West Virginia State 85 West Virginia Wesleyan 71
Charleston vs Davis & Elkins- Ppd.
Alderson Broaddus 79 Frostburg State 76
West Liberty 101 Glenville State 90
MEC Standings:
West Liberty 7-1 (13-1)
Charleston 6-1 (10-2)
Fairmont State 6-2 (11-2)
NDC 6-2 (9-5)
Alderson Broaddus 4-4 (7-5)
West Virginia State 3-3 (8-5)
Concord 3-5 (5-8)
Frostburg State 3-5 (5-9)
Wheeling 3-5 (4-10)
Davis & Elkins 2-4 (4-7)
Glenville State 2-5 (5-6)
West Virginia Wesleyan 0-8 (1-13)
Commentaires