The Notre Dame College Falcons hung tough with the nationally ranked Hilltoppers but ultimately would fall 96-70 at the Athletic Sport and Recreation Center. With the loss the Falcons fell to 1-5 and 0-2 in the MEC. With the victory the Hilltoppers improved to 5-1 and 2-0 in the MEC.
Five NDC players tallied double figures in this one. Levi Frankland scored 16 of his 18 points in the opening half- while Jordan Burton- Larenz Thurman- Dan Lott- and- Bruce Hodges each netted 11. Lott added a team high nine rebounds, while both Thurman and Frankland each tallied four assists. NDC shot 42 percent as a team- 29 percent (6-21) from the 3-point line- and- shot at a 59 percent clip (10-17) at the free throw line. The Falcons had 15 assists and 12 turnovers as a team in the contest.
Coach Mark Richmond talked about it afterwards:
" I definitely thought we competed. We did a pretty good job handling their pressure and guarding the 3-point line but the rebounding and points in the paint were the difference in the game."Richmond stated.
West Liberty had five players score in double figures as well, led by Will Yoakum who scored 19 points. Pat Robinson and Preston Boswell each netted 16- while Dalton Bolon had 13. Marlon Moore rounded out the double digit scorers with 10 points to go with a team leading 10 rebounds. The Hilltoppers shot 59 percent as a team- 41 percent (7-17) from the 3-point line- and- 69 percent (11-16) at the free throw line. West Liberty dominated NDC on the boards 48-26. They had 18 assists- and- 16 turnovers a team.
The game began with the Hilltoppers taking a 7-1 lead before the Falcons would answer. A Frankland 3-pointer along with a 3-pointer by Burton- then the Falcons would get another 3-ball from Frankland to take a 10-9 lead with 15:07 in the opening half. The Hilltoppers would score the next seven points before Frankland went to work again. An 8-2 run by NDC would see Frankland score all eight points as his layup would tie the game at 18 with 12:26 in the half and force a West Liberty time out. Luke Dyer would hit a 3-pointer to give West Liberty the lead back. After a Boswell bucket the Hilltoppers lead would be 26-20 with under 10 to go in the opening stanza. Hodges would make a lay up at the 8:55 mark and it would be a 28-22 score. NDC was down six (33-27) after a Hodges lay in at the 6:55 mark of the half. A 9-0 run by the home team would give them a 15 point cushion. West Liberty would ultimately take a 50-34 lead into the locker room.
Frankland led NDC with 16 points in the opening half. Lott scored six- while both Burton and Hodges chipped in five. The Falcons shot 39 percent in the opening half- 46 percent (5-11) from the 3-point line- and- 43 percent (3-7) at the free throw line. They had nine assists and five turnovers in the half.
West Liberty was led by Boswell with 12- while Robinson had 11- and- Yoakum 10 in the first 20 minutes. They shot 64 percent as a team- 67 percent (4-6) from the 3-point line- and- 57 percent (4-7) from the free throw line. They out rebounded NDC 28-10 in the opening stanza. They had nine assists and 10 turnovers as a team in the half.
A solid start to the second half had the Falcons within 12 (52-40) after a Burton hoop at the 18 minute mark. After a quick run by West Liberty NDC would score four straight capped by a Dae John Walker-Bey layup at the 15:43 mark to make it 58-46. That is as close as the Falcons would get. A 8-0 run by West Liberty stretched the lead to 20 (66-46) after a pair of Boswell free throws at the 13:14 mark. The Hilltoppers would then cruise to victory from there.
Despite the loss Hodges thought he saw some positives tonight:
" It was great to see us battle. We didn't fold today and I loved that. We got great minutes from Lott and it will be great to get a few guys back after the thanksgiving break."Hodges said.
Thurman talked about effort and rebounding:
" The effort was definitely there. We just have to lock in more and focus on ending possessions with a rebound."
Drew Scarberry remains sidelined but gave his thoughts:
" We showed that they are a beatable team. We need to take the positives from this game and carry them into practices after break."Scarberry mentioned.
NDC will be back in action on 12/4 when they host Glenville State. Tip time is set for 7:30 PM.
Other MEC Scores:
Charleston 85 Glenville State 83
Frostburg State 76 Davis&Elkins 74
Fairmont State 75 West Virginia Wesleyan 72
West Virginia State 98 Concord 94
Wheeling 59 Urbana 51
MEC Standings:
Wheeling 2-0 (4-0)
West Liberty 2-0 (5-1)
Charleston 1-1 (5-1)
Glenville State 1-1 (4-1)
West Virginia State 1-1 (4-1)
Fairmont State 1-1 (3-1)
Concord 1-1 (3-4)
Davis&Elkins 1-1 (3-4)
Frostburg State 1-1 (2-4)
West Virginia Wesleyan 1-1 (1-6)
NDC 0-2 (1-5)
Urbana 0-2 (1-5)
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