High Octane Offense Leads Falcons Past Virginia Union.

The Notre Dame Falcons started 2-0 for the first time since the 2009-10 season with a 112-99 victory over Virginia Union Sunday in Institute,West Va.  The Falcons came away with two wins in the opening tournament while Virginia Union split a pair of games to start the season.
   The Falcons had six players score in double figures on the afternoon.  Lawrence DeArmond paced the Falcons with 23 points-Najeeb Johnson and Will Vorhoos each put up 22 in the victory. Kyauta Taylor scored 18-Tyree Gaiter had 14 to go along with seven assists. Jay Banyasz rounded out the double digit scorers with 11 points.
  Virginia Union had four players in double figures on the day. Avery Jirminson led the way with 22 points- Ray Anderson and Robert Valentine each put up 19 in a losing effort.  Ronald Whaley netted 17 to round out the double digit scorers.
   Banyasz scored the game's first six points as the Falcons got off to a quick start for the second straight day.  NDC would lead 18-11 six minutes into the contest. NDC would stretch the lead to 12 (31-19) with 9:02 to go in the opening half. The Falcons would maintain a sizable lead for the remainder of the half and led by 15 (54-39) at the half.
  The second half would be controlled by the Falcons. They would lead by as many as 23 (63-40) but the Panthers would not go quietly. They would cut the Falcons lead to 10 (100-90) before the Falcons would finish them off.
 The Falcons had a good day, as they shot the ball at a 50 percent clip (38-76.)  The Falcons shot 38 percent (9-24) from the 3-point line for the day.  A day after struggling at the foul line the Falcons shot a solid 82 percent (27-33) on free throw's.  NDC was a +12 (46-34) in the rebounding battle.  The Falcons had 19 assists and 11 turnovers.
  The Panthers shot 56 percent (37-66) from the field- they also shot it well from the 3-point line where they shot 44 percent (7-16.)  The Panthers were not good at the foul line shooting 60 percent (18-30.)  The Panthers turned the ball over 14 times to go along with 16 assists.
  NDC will be back in action Wednesday when they head to Columbus to battle Ohio Dominican.  Tip time is set for 7 PM.