Falcons Fall Short After Big Comeback Wednesday.

The Notre Dame Falcons trailed by 19 points in the early stages of the second half at Murphy Gym but come all the way back to take the lead before ultimately falling 91-80 to #9 Wheeling Jesuit.  With the win Wheeling Jesuit improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the MEC. With the loss NDC fell to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in the MEC.
  The Cardinals were led by 29 points each from both reigning MEC Player Of The Week Haywood Highsmith and six 3-pointer's from Preston Boswell netted his 29.  Highsmith added 12 rebounds for his sixth double-double in six games.  Jeremiah Wilson also scored in double figures with 18- while Pat Moseh added 13.
 Wheeling shot 46 percent from the floor in the game- 38 percent (8-21) from the 3-point line.  They were a solid 81 percent (25-31) at the free throw line.  The Cardinals out-rebounded NDC 41-36. They had 14 assists and seven turnovers as a team.
  NDC was paced by Levi Frankland with 22 points- while Cole Hayes added 17.  Angelo Cugini posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. While Kyauta Taylor was held to 10.
  The Falcons shot 43 percent as a team.  They shot 44 percent (15-34) from the 3-point line.  At the free throw line NDC shot 65 percent (11-17.)  They had 17 assists and 11 turnovers as a team.
   The game began with NDC short-handed, as Halil Parks- Will Vorhees- and- Ja'Sean Lewis were not available in this one.  Wheeling scored the game's first five points as Boswell would knock down his first of six 3-pointer's on the night.  It would be 14-12 Wheeling after the first media timeout of this one.  The two teams would trade blows in the next several minutes and after a Cole Hayes 3-pointer NDC would be within one (24-23) with 9:56 in the opening half.  A pair of Hayes free throws on the ensuing possession would give NDC a brief lead, before Moseh would put Wheeling back on top.  A Drew Scarberry 3-pointer would knot the game at 28 with 5:01 in the opening half.  The Cardinals would then close the half on a 12-2 run to open up a 10-point lead (40-30) at the half.
 The two teams would shoot the same from the field (38 percent-) and from the 3-point line (36 percent.)  But the difference in the opening half would be at the free throw line where NDC shot 75 percent (3-4-) while Wheeling shot 76 percent (13-17.)
 Coach Tim Koenig spoke about the first half:
"We played pretty well most of the first half but did not finish well." Koenig said."
  The second half saw NDC trail by as many as 19 (61-42) after Boswell converted a four point play at the 13:24 mark. Then NDC would come storming back as they would go on a 11-0 run capped by a Frankland layup at the 11:36 mark that would cut the lead to eight (61-53.)  Ryan Cooper would stretch the lead back to 10 for Wheeling but NDC would go on  a13-0 run that would give them the lead, as Frankland would complete a old fashioned three-point play at the 8:28 mark that put NDC up 66-63.  Hayes and Frankland would each connect on 3-pointer's about a minute later and NDC led 72-67 with  6:49 to go.  Wheeling would counter with a 10-0 run of their own and it would be 77-72 Cardinals at the 4:45 mark.  Taylor would cut the NDC deficit to three on a pair of free throws before Moseh and Wilson would stretch the Wheeling lead to seven.  Highmsith would convert another bucket to make it nine (83-74) at the 2:08 mark.  Wheeling would take control the rest of the way and hang on for what would be a sixth straight win for them.
  Tim Koenig praised the team's effort despite the loss:
"Really proud of the way this team battled tonight. Especially with the guys we have out." Koenig said.
 On running out of gas at the end of the game:
"We rode that group of five for a long time that we erased the deficit with. I tried to get to the media timeout with that group and I should have called a timeout. That is a coaching mistake on my part and we will get better at that. "Koenig said.
As for his thoughts on Haywood Highsmith and Wheeling Jesuit:
" They are the #9 team in the country for a reason. Highmsith is one of the best players for a reason. They are a really good team." Koenig said."
NDC will be back in action Saturday when they travel to West Liberty to take on the seventh ranked Hilltoppers.  Tip time is set for 4 PM.

Falcons Host Ninth Ranked Cards In Key MEC Tilt Wednesday.

The Notre Dame Falcons Host the Ninth Ranked Wheeling Jesuit Cardinals in a Key MEC Tilt at Murphy Gym on Wednesday. You can catch all the action at NotreDameFalcons.com with Andrew Luftglass on the call.  Tip time is set for 7:30 PM.
  The Falcons (3-3 1-1 MEC) come into the game off a 93-87 win over Penn State Greater Allegheny last time out.  NDC was led by a trio of players in double figures.  Kyauta Taylor paced the Falcons with 33 points- to go along with 11 rebounds- and- seven assists.  Levi Frankland scored all 21 of his points in the second half- while- Drew Scarberry added 16.
 The Falcons shot 45 percent from the floor as a team. They set new program records in both 3-pointer's made (21-) and- 3-pointer's attempted (49) in the victory.  The Falcons shot 67 percent (12-18) from the free throw line.  They won the rebounding battle 39-35. NDC had 26 assists and 17 turnovers as a team.
 Four players are averaging double figures on the young season to lead NDC. Will Vorhees leads the way, averaging 24.3 points and 10.7 rebounds a night. Kyauta Taylor is off to a strong start averaging 24.2 points a night- while Scarberry is scoring 14.3 points a game.  Frankland is averaging 10.2 points a game as well.
 The Falcons average 92.3 points a game as a team- while they allow 91.0 points a night.  The Falcons are making 12.5 3-pointer's a game- as opposed to 10.7 for the opposition.  The Falcons are also making six plus more free throws than the opposition (18.8-12.3.)  The Falcons have been solid on the glass, out-rebounding the opposition 48 rebounds per game to 41.2.  The Falcons also average five blocks a game, as opposed to 1.5 for the opponent.
   Wheeling Jesuit (5-0 2-0 MEC) has won their first five games for the third consecutive season.  The Cardinals were a 89-65 winner over Glenville State last time out.  Haywood Highsmith paced the Cards with 26 points and 12 rebounds in that contest.  Preston Boswell had 21 in that game- while Jeremiah Wilson added 13.  Wheeling shot 45 percent from the field in that contest- 26 percent from the 3-point line.
  Highsmith has already tallied five double-doubles this season- as he is averaging 21.4 point and 12.8 rebounds per game.  Boswell is putting up 18.8 points a contest, while Wheeling has four players shooting batter than 46 percent from the field on the young season.
   The Cardinals come into Wednesday's contest averaging 80.4 points a night- but allowing just 65.4 points a game.  They have also been solid on the boards where they are out-rebounding the opponent 39.2-36.6 on average.  The Cards have also done a good job of taking care of the ball, as they average 12.4 turnovers a game, which is four less than the opponent (16.4 a night.)
 NDC is 2-7 against Wheeling Jesuit in a season series that goes back to the 2013-14 season.  The Cards were a 84-69 winner over NDC last February.  In the meeting in South Euclid last season the Cards were a 83-74 winner.

Short-handed Falcons Knock Off Nittany Lions To Close HomeStand.

The Notre Dame Falcons knocked off the Nittany Lions of Penn State Greater Allegheny 93-87 in a Wednesday matinee at Murphy Gym. The victory improved NDC to 3-3 on the season- while Allegheny fell to 5-3 on the campaign.
  The Falcons were led by a monster game from Kyauta Taylor. Taylor stuffed the stat sheet with 33 points- 11 rebounds- and- seven assists in the victory.  Levi Frankland added 21 points and five assists as well. Drew Scarberry rounded out the double figure scorers with 16 for NDC.
 The Falcons set new program records in both 3-point attempts (49-) and- 3- pointer's made (21) in the win which is good for 43 percent on the day.  The Falcons shot 45 percent from the floor- and- 67 percent (12-18) from the free throw line.  NDC won the rebounding battle 39-35.  They had 26 assists and 17 turnovers.
  Greater Allegheny was led by Jordan Payne with 30 points, 24 in the first half. Payne scored 20 or more points for the seventh straight game.  Kenneth Rouse added 16- Curtis Newby posted a double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds-) while Markis Rivera added 12.
  The Nittany Lions shot 53 percent as a team.  They shot 50 percent (14-28) from the 3-point line.  They also shot 50 percent (1-2) from the free throw line.  The Nittany Lions had 17 assists and 17 turnovers as a team in the defeat.
    The Falcons started the game short-handed, as senior Will Vorhees- freshman Halil Parks- and- redshirt junior Angelo Cugini were unable to play due to injury.  It was a 6-0 lead for the Falcons right out of the gate, as Taylor and Scarberry would both knock down 3-pointer's in the game's first two minutes.  The Nittany Lions would answer with the game's next six points.  After a run by Allegheny the Falcons would trail 13-8 at the first media timeout after a Payne 3-pointer.  NDC would come back with a 9-2 run after a Oliver Megins 3-pointer gave them a 17-15 lead at the 13:06 mark of the opening half.  The two teams would go back and forth in the opening half, as the lead would change hands 12 times.  NDC would have a seven point lead (42-35) after a Taylor 3-pointer at the 2:12 mark, only to see the Nittany Lions score the next seven points and knot the game at 42 at the intermission.
  The second half would see the Nittany Lions score the game's first five points and take a 47-42 lead. NDC would then go on a 11-0 run to take a six point lead (53-47) after a Taylor 3-pointer at the 16:30 mark.  NDC would stretch that lead to 10 (59-49) on a Frankland 3-pointer.  The lead would be stretched to 14 (66-52) after a Taylor 3-pointer at the 12:54 mark.  The next eight points would belong to the Nittany Lions, as they would get to within six (66-60) after a Rouse 3-pointer at the 11:39 mark.  The lead would be back to double digits as Cole Hayes would knock down a 3-pointer to make it 74-62 at the 9:53 mark.
 In the next three plus minutes NDC would get 3-pointer's from both Frankland and Jack Kelsheimer to make it 84-70 at the 6:59 mark.  The lead would stay at 14 (87-73) after a Ja'Sean Lewis free throw at the 4:25 mark and the last media timeout.  The Nittany Lions would not go quietly, as they got to within five on a pair of occasions in the game's final minute. As NDC would hold on to even there record at 3-3 on the season.
Coach Tim Koenig spoke about the defensive effort in the second half:
" We did a much better job defensively in the second half, especially on Payne. Jack Kelsheimer and KT Taylor did a real good job on him (only six second half points.)  Koenig said."
  Koenig spoke about the bench:
" Jacob Sawman gave us a big lift off the bench today.  We had some contributions up and down, it was nice to get the win, Koenig said."
  Koenig also spoke about the contributions from Levi Frankland and KT Taylor in this one, as well as dealing with some injuries:
" As I said earlier KT played great defense in the second half. He had a great all-around game. Koenig said."
As for Levi Frankland:
"Levi is a real good player and he played very well today. He needs to be more vocal on and off the court. He has been dealing with a knee injury, that is not an excuse that is fact.  He is going to get better and better as the season goes on." Koenig said."
Lastly Koenig spoke about the program record 3-pointer's made and attempted:
" We definitely did not draw it up that way having that many attempts. " Koenig said.

NDC will take a break for the holiday and be back in action next Wednesday (11/28) when they battle #11 Wheeling Jesuit at Murphy Gym. Tip time is set for 7:30 PM

Falcons Battle PSU_Allegnheny Wednesday.

The Notre Dame College Falcons (2-3 1-1 MEC) battle Penn State Allegheny (5-2) at Murphy Gym  on Wednesday afternoon. Andrew Luftglass will have the call.
   The Falcons are led by Will Vorhees at 24.3 points- and- 10.7 rebounds a game.  Kyauta Taylor is scoring 22.4 a game-- while- Drew Scarberry puts up 14 a night.
 As a team the Falcons score 92.2 points a game- while they give up 91.8 a contest.   The Falcons average more than five rebounds more than the opposition.
  At the other end PSU Allegheny is 5-2.  They come into the game averaging 92 points a game as a team.  Jordan Payne leads the way at 24.7 points per game.   No other player averages double figures on the team.  The last timeout was a 98-77 win over Southern State Community College.
  Jordan Payne had a monster game last time out.  The Nittany Lions had a four win streak snapped last time out.  Payne scored 40 points last time out and has five straight games of 20 points or more.  Khari Hicks is six assists from the school record in assists.

Falcons Drop Double OT Heartbreaker Monday.

The Notre Dame College Falcons battled uphill all night long, but in the end after trailing most of the way would drop a 102-101 double overtime decision inside Murphy Gym Monday night. With the victory the Cavaliers improve to 2-3 and 2-0 in the MEC. While after the loss the Falcons fall to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in MEC play.
  Michal Seals led the Cavaliers with 24 points- eight rebounds- seven assists- and- four steals in the victory.  Taiwo Badmus added 22 points and nine rebounds- while Yesid Mosquera- Perea had 14, including the basket that gave the Cavaliers the lead for good in the second overtime.  Jordan Pointer also scored in double figures with 11.
  The Cavs shot 44 percent as a team. They shot at a 52 percent clip (11-21) from the 3-point line.  They shot 68 percent (15-22) at the free throw line.  The Cavaliers had 14 assists and 13 turnovers.
  NDC was led by 25 points and 16 rebounds from Will Vorhees.  Kyauta Taylor scored 20- Drew Scarberry added 15-and- Halil Parks tallied 10 in the losing effort.  Ja'Sean Lewis added nine points and nine rebounds as well.
 NDC shot 39 percent as a team.  They shot 31 percent (11-36) from the 3-point line.  At the free throw line the Falcons shot at a 73 percent clip (22-30.)  They won the rebounding battle 57-49.  The Falcons had 16 assists and 16 turnovers.
  It was the Cavaliers who got off to the good start in this one, as Badmus would score 11 points in the game's first four plus minutes to give Wise a 17-13 lead.  The Falcons would battle back and tie the game at 21 with 9:50 to go in the opening stanza.  After some back and forth action for the next few minutes the Falcons would regain the lead (34-33) on a Vorhees layup at the 4:39 mark of the opening half. That lead would be short-lived, as the Cavaliers would take a three point lead (45-42) into the locker room.  Kyauta Taylor led NDC with nine points in the opening half- while Vorhees had seven points and five rebounds at the break.
   The Cavaliers would get off to a good start in the second half. At the 14:57 mark the lead would be stretched to six (54-48.)  After some sloppy play by NDC, and three consecutive possessions that they would turn the ball over the Cavaliers would open up there biggest lead of the game (62-48) at the 14:14 mark. The Falcons would come back and cut it to six with just over 12 minutes to go. Two minutes later the lead would be five (66-61.)  NDC would cut the deficit to two (76-74) after a Jack Kelsheimer 3-pointer at the 6:01 mark.  Wise got the lead back out to six shortly thereafter. NDC would fight back again and after a Taylor basket and a defensive stop Taylor would knock down a 3-pointer to cut the lead to one (84-83) with 1:52 to go in regulation. NDC would see the Cavaliers score the next three points before a Vorhees old fashioned three-point play would cut it to one (87-86) with 33 seconds. After Seals split a pair of free throws the Falcons would get a tying layup from Vorhees that would send the game into overtime.
  Taylor would hit a 3-pointer to give NDC the lead to start the extra session (91-88.)  The lead would go to four after Taylor split a pair of free throws.  Wise would get a Sheffey layup to tie the game at 93 at the 1:15 mark of the overtime.  Vorhees  would give the Falcons the lead with less than a minute to go, only to see Mosquera-Perea give the Cavaliers the lead back with 20 seconds. After a Cavaliers foul NDC would split a pair of free throws and we headed to a second overtime.
  Mosquera-Perea started the second overtime with another 3-pointer that put the Cavaliers back on top. A Vorhees basket would cut the lead to one just over a minute into the second OT. Mosquera-Perea would knock down another 3-pointer but Oliver Megins would have the answer for NDC. The Falcons would have a chance to win it late but Scarberry could not knock down the 3-pointer and the Cavaliers escaped with the victory.
After the tough loss coach Tim Koenig spoke about a few things, first on 50-50 balls:
" We did not get as many 50-50 balls as we would have liked tonight. When you get all those 50-50 balls some of those shots we missed tonight go-in." Koening said."
On battling thru some injuries and using the fifth starting line-up in five games:
"We have had some injuries this year. I need to do better at coaching, we as a staff need to do better at the rotation itself. We have five new guys who are playing significant minutes. And we will get better." Koening said.
On putting together a 40 minute game:
"That comes down to we need to have better shot selection and we need to be more consistent." Koenig said.
NDC will be back in action Wednesday afternoon when they take on Penn State Allegheny. Tip time is set for 12 Noon at Murphy Gym.

NDC Takes On Cavs Monday Night.

The Notre Dame College Falcons (2-2 1-0) MEC fresh off a 86-76 win over Concord Saturday host the Virginia Wise Cavaliers (1-3 1-0 MEC) Monday night. The game will tip at 7:30 PM with Andrew Luftglass on the call. You can catch all the action at NotreDameFalcons.com.
  NDC comes into Monday riding high after a big second half rallied them to a home victory Saturday. Will Vorhees scored 23 of his 33 points in the second half- while Kyauta Taylor and Halil Parks added 11 points each.
 NDC is led in scoring by Vorhees who is averaging 24.0 ppg. He is one of four Falcons averaging in double figures on the young season. Taylor is putting up 23 points a night- Drew Scarberry is averaging 13.8 points a contest- while Levi Frankland is averaging an even 10 points per game.  Ja'Sean Lewis leads the team in rebounding (14 per game-) while he also leads the team in assists (five per contest.)
 As a team NDC is putting up 90 points a game- while giving up 89.3 a night.  The Falcons are averaging more than five free throw attempts more than the opposition (19.8-14.5-) while they have out-rebounded the opposition by more than seven rebounds a night (48-40.8)
    Virginia Wise is coming off a 71-64 win over Urbana that was the team's first win of the season after dropping the first three contests.  Taiwo Badmus led the Cavaliers with 29 points and 12 rebounds, as he played all 40 minutes on Saturday.  Chance Sheffey also scored in double figures with 14.  Wise shot 40 percent from the field in the victory- and- won the rebounding battle 43-38.  Badmus leads the Cavaliers in scoring at 15.8 points and 7.3 rebounds a game.  Michal Seals is also averaging in double figures at 12.3 a contest- while Sheffey is putting up 10.3 a night.  Seals leads the Cavaliers in assists at more than five per game. As a team the Cavaliers average 65.5 points a game- while they have allowed 79 points a contest in the early season.
  The Falcons swept the season series last season from the Cavaliers. Winning the first meeting 98-89- before getting a 93-86 win at Murphy Gym.

Return Of Vorhees Lifts NDC To Victory.

Down by nine (49-40) after the first 20 minutes of action in the home opener at Murphy Gym, the Notre Dame College Falcons rode the return of Will Vorhees and a stellar defensive effort in the second half to secure a 86-76 win at Murphy Gym Saturday.
  NDC (2-2 1-0 MEC) was paced by a double-double (33 points and 10 rebounds) from Vorhees. Vorhees scored 23 of his 33 in the second half. Kyauta Taylor also scored 11- and- Halil Parks had 11 off the bench including a pair of 3-pointer's with just over nine minutes to go that would give the Falcons the lead for good.
 NDC shot 49 percent as a team in the victory- they shot 30 percent (6-20) from the 3-point line- and- 80 percent (20-25) at the free throw line.  The Falcons dominated the boards, out-rebounding Concord 48-34.  They had 17 assists and 15 turnovers as a team.
  The Mountain Lions (2-2 0-1 MEC) dropped a second straight game. They were led by BJ Hamlet who nailed six 3-pointer's on his way to 28 points. 18 of his 28 points came in the first half.  Malik Johnson also scored in double figures with 14.
 The Mountain Lions shot 36 percent as a team in the defeat.  They shot 40 percent (14-35) from the 3-point line. 11 of those 14 3-pointer's coming in the first 20 minutes.  Concord struggled at the free throw line, where they shot 62 percent (8-13.)  The Mountain Lions had 17 assists and seven turnovers.
  The game begin with Concord jumping out to a 8-3 lead in the early going. NDC would answer right away and go on a 10-0 run with the raucous crowd at full throttle inside Murphy Gym as they led 13-8 at the 15:23 mark of the opening half after a Drew Scarberry dunk.
  The Mountain Lions would control the next three minutes or so and take a three point lead (21-18) with 12:37 in the first half.  Three minutes later the Mountain Lions would still hold a slim two point lead (26-24.)  After five more minutes of action Concord would still lead (39-36.)  The Mountain Lions would close the half on a 10-4 run to take a nine point lead (49-40) into the locker room.
   Concord was red-hot from the 3-point line in the opening half where they shot 58 percent (11-19.)  They also shot 50 percent from the field (19-38.)
  NDC shot 49 percent in the opening half, but just went 2-11 (18 percent) from the 3-point line.
  The second half got off to a good start for NDC as they continued to feed Vorhees in the post.  NDC went on a 9-2 run to start the second half and trailed by two (51-49) with 14:40 to go.  A few minutes later Oliver Megins would give NDC the lead back (54-53.)  The two teams would go back and forth for the next few minutes and would be knotted at 59. At that point Parks would nail back- to back 3-pointer's at the 9:12 mark that would give NDC a six point lead (65-59) that they would not relinquish the rest of the way.  The Falcons would lead by as many as 12 in the final minute and would go on to victory.
  Coach Tim Koenig talked about the mettle of his team, after bouncing back from a really tough loss for the second time this season:
" These guys played there guts out today. We made some mistakes both on offense and defense, but you can not play any harder than these guys played in this game," Koenig said.
On what he said to the team in the locker room at halftime:
" if we were in the locker room for eight minutes, 7:30 of those eight minutes was about defense, "Koenig said.
 Taylor spoke about the change on defense in the second half:
"At halftime Coach Koenig told me Hamlet is not going to score any more points in this half. It says a lot about the trust that Coach Koenig has in me as a defender to let me guard that guy and that was the turning point in the game, Taylor said."
Taylor also commented on the return of Vorhees and what it meant:
"Will being back makes things so much easier for me and the rest of the team on offense.  He is so clutch.
Taylor also spoke of the 3-pointer's by Halil Parks:
" Halil was huge down the stretch today. Those two 3-pointer's were daggers in the hearts of Concord, Taylor said.
  NDC will be back in action Monday night when they take on Virginia Wise. Tip time is set for 7:30 PM at Murphy Gym.

Meet The 2017-18 Notre Dame College Falcons

The Starters:


*Levi Frankland (#25)
freshman
Guard
6-foot 4-175 lbs.
Queensland,Australia (Hillcrest Christian College)

NDC Forward Will Vorhees had no problem saying how important he would be to the team right away:
"Levi is going to be our starting point guard. He is going to play huge minutes for us as a freshman. He is so good,"Vorhees said."

Guard Jack Kelsheimer spoke of the true freshman highly as well:
" Levi is a lefty, which is unique in itself. He is another Australian which speaks to the recruiting that Coach Baab and the rest of the staff do. He has a very smooth style of game and is a bigger, shifty guard. He is like a coach on the floor, Kelsheimer said."
Guard Drew Scarberry spoke of the freshman class as a whole:
"Levi, Halil, Cole and Will Butler are all very good and huge pieces to this team, Scarberry said."
He also spoke of the biggest adjustment from the high school game to college.
"The speed of the shot is a big thing Levi will have to adjust to. Once he figures that out though he is a lights out shooter, Scarberry said."

Pete's take: Levi will stabilize the team at the point guard position. He will grow as the season wears on and will be a force to be reckoned with all season long. 


Kyauta Taylor (#2)
senior 
Guard
6-foot-2-175 lbs.
Cleveland,Ohio (East Tech High School)


2016-17: Played in all 29 games, making 28 starts.  Was second in the Mountain East Conference in 3-pointer's made (97-) and- third in the MEC in points per game (20.8 ppg.)  Also averaged five rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Was Second Team All-MEC.


2015-16: Played in all 32 games, making 30 starts.  Was second on the team in 3-pointer's made (87-) and- steals (46.)  Averaged 15.1 points a game, which was good for third on the team. Also added 5.2 rebounds- and- 2.1 steals per contest.

2014-15: Played all 30 games, making 25 starts as a freshman. Averaged 12.1 points- 3.5 rebounds- 1.3 assists- and- 1.3 steals per game.  Scored 20 or more points five times, including a season high 35 against West Virginia State on January 10th.

Kelsheimer spoke of how much easier Taylor makes his job on a daily basis:
" I guard KT in practice everyday and playing against him in practice makes me better defensively all the time,"Kelsheimer said."
Kelsheimer added:
"He sucks in the defense."


Pete's take: Taylor is a very important piece to this team. He is one of the few guys who can create his own shot and is excellent at getting to the rim. He and Vorhees are the best 1-2 punch in the conference. 



Will Vorhees (#41)
senior
Center/Forward
6-Foot-8-240 lbs.
Lima,Ohio (Columbus Grove High School)



2016-17: Played in all 29 games, 28 as a starter. Was second in all of Division II in scoring average (26.8 points per game-) and- 16th in rebounds per game (10.3)  Led Division II with 305 field goals made on the season. Led the MEC in offensive rebounds with 100. Was seventh in blocked shots (32-) shot 53 percent from the field- and- averaged nearly 3.5 assists which was good for 10th in the country.  Scored 40+ points four times, including a career high 48 vs Urbana on February 25th. Was First Team All MEC- First Team All-Atlantic Region-and- a- Second Team All-American.

2015-16: Started in all 32 games. Was second on the team averaging 20.7 points- and- 9.5 rebounds per game.  Shot 52 percent from the floor. Averaged 2.7 assists per game- along with 35 steals- and- 18 blocks for the season.  Was First Team All-MEC- and- Second Team All-Atlantic Region.

2014-15: Played in 25 games, 24 starts his freshman campaign. Was third on the team averaging 14.2 points per game- and- second on the team averaging 7.2 rebounds per night.  Also averaged 1.3 assists- and- led the team with 23 blocks.  Added 17 steals as well.


Vorhees is looking forward to a very exciting season, but he spoke about the disappointment of a season ago. How it will be motivation for him and this team.
"Losing to the same team three times, we could have easily won all three. For me personally it is a ton of motivation, and I worked a lot on my free throw shooting in the off-season as well, Vorhees said."
He added this:
" Anything short of a national championship and a conference championship would be a disappointment. No team in the history of the school has ever been to the NCAA tournament and I firmly believe we will be the first team to do so, Vorhees said. "
Kelsheimer and Scarberry both commented on how Vorhees makes their job so much easier:
" He posts on the opposite side and we will get a lot of open looks that way.
 The other thing  Scarberry commented on is what a great passer Vorhees has become:
" He has become really good at passing out of double-teams. That may be the biggest improvement in his game since he has been here," Scarberry said."
  Kelsheimer had nothing but praise for his All-American teammate:
" Will is by far the best player in our conference and he is the best player in the country.  He has unreal passing ability.  It may be a bit of a stretch but I compare his passing ability to Lebron, Kelsheimer said."


Pete's take: Vorhees is the heart and soul of this team. He will get his numbers, but needs to get his teammates more involved game in and game out if this team is going to make some noise this season.  


Angelo Cugini (#34)
redshirt junior
Forward
Six-Foot-Seven-220 lbs.
Akron,Ohio (Cuyahoga Falls High School) 

2016-17: Redshirt

2015-16: Appeared in 11 games, including four starts for Alderson Broaddus(West Va.) Averaged nearly 23 minutes per game. Averaged 8.9 points and 5.3 rebounds a night.

2014-15: Appeared in 25 games for the Battlers. Averaged 2.2 points- and- two rebounds a game. Shot 40 percent from the 3-point line.

Scarberry spoke of the importance of Angelo in the lineup:
" Angelo is a good guy to have out there, as he knows the runs of the offense.  Once he gets adapted and fits in like he should he will be a big piece," Scarberry said."


Pete's take: Cugini should fit right in with this team. He is a wing who can spread the floor with his 3-point shooting ability. Will be a big part of what this team does all season long.


Drew Scarberry (#44)
redshirt sophomore
Guard
Six-Foot-Six- 200 lbs, 
Franklin Furnace,Ohio (Northwest High School)


2016-17: Played in all 27 games his freshman season, making eight starts. Was third on the team in scoring at 10.1 points per game.  Led the MEC shooting at a 45 percent clip from the 3-point line.  Was second on the team in 3-pointer's made (78.)

2015-16: Redshirt

Vorhees commented on how Scarberry helps the offense so much:
" Drew is another weapon. He does a very good job of spacing the floor for our team, if other teams don't work on defending that he makes them pay,"Vorhees said."
Kelsheimer also commented on the shooting ability that Scarberry has:
" Drew is really good at spreading the floor. Other teams have to face guard him to keep him off the 3-point line.  When he is hot he is impossible to guard,"Kelsheimer said."


Pete's take: Scarberry is the best pure shooter on this team. His only struggles in the past have come when he can not get enough open shots. Expect a big year from Scarberry now that he is a year older. 


The Bench:

Ja'Sean Lewis (#0)
junior
Forward
Six-Foot-Eight- 205 lbs.
Columbus,Ohio (Canton Glen Oak High School)


2016-17: Started all 29 games, averaging 33.7 minutes per night. Ranked second in the MEC in blocks per game (2.28-) fourth in assists per game (5.21-) and- fifth in rebounds per game (10 per night.)  Was the only player in Division I or II to average at least 10 rebounds and five assists per game.

2015-16: Played in all 32 games as a freshman, making 30 starts.  Led the MEC in blocks with 74.  Led the team with 9.8 rebounds per game.  Averaged 8.2 points a game, while shooting 54 percent from the floor.  Also had 75 assists and 27 steals on the season.
  Vorhees had good things to say about his post mate.
" Ja'Sean brings another element to our team when he is playing the best he can.  He really helps the defensive scheme on our team, especially the way he can blocks shots.  He is also a very good passer, as evidenced by the fact that he averages more than five assists per game," Vorhees said.
Kelsheimer and Scarberry agreed:
" Ja'Sean is a big part of what we do as a team. He is also the focal point on both offense and defense,Scarberry and Kelsheimer said."

Pete's take: Ja'Sean is a big part of what this team does. He could very easily start this year. Decent shooter for a big man as well. 


Daniel Atcheson (#1)
junior
Guard
Five-Foot-10-185 lbs.
Brisbane, Australia (Marist College Ash Grove)

2016-17: Played in seven games recording one defensive rebound.
Kelsheimer commented on Atcheson:
"Daniel was our spark in Toronto. He played really well in our exhibition games there," Kelsheimer said."


Pete's take: Atcheson will play more than he did last season. Still will have to pay his dues though before he plays big minutes. 


Oliver Megins (#5)
senior
Forward/Center
Six-Foot-8-245 lbs.
Adelaide, Australia (Christian Brothers High School)


2016-17: Played in 20 games, making seven starts.  Averaged 7.0 points- 4.1 rebounds- and- 2.4 assists per game.

2015-16: Played in 17 games Averaged 1.9 points- 1.9 rebounds- and- 0.6 assists per game.

2014-15: Played in all 30 games, making 17 starts.  Averaged 6.1 points- 3.7 rebounds- and- 0.6 assists per game.  Shot a solid 39 percent from the 3-point line.  Scored a season high 23 points versus Shepherd on January 3rd.
Kelsheimer spoke of Megins shooting ability:
" Ollie is a difference maker, he can change the game with his shot. He spreads the floor and is a very good 3-point shooter for a big man,"Kelsheimer said. "
Vorhees spoke of his versatility:
" Ollie can guard anyone on the floor. Any position 1-5, Vorhees said."


Pete's take: Look for Megins to bounce back for his senior season.  He had a rough go of it last year that included being suspended for an undisclosed violation. He will be back and hungrier than ever this season. 


Jacob Sawman (#10)
junior
Center
Seven-Foot- 185 lbs. 
Hartville,Ohio (Marlington High School)

2016-17: Appeared in 29 games, including 10 starts. Averaged 1.5 points- 1.7 rebounds- and- 0.6 assists per game.  Added six blocks and four steals.

2015-16: Played in 28 games, making 11 starts.  Averaged 1.9 points- 1.4 rebounds- and- 0.4 assists per contest.  Recorded 10 blocks and two steals on the year.  Shot 52 percent from the floor.
Vorhees spoke of the defensive presence Sawman brings:
" Jacob has great size and blocks/alters a lot of shots. He is a hard worker and has more confidence this season," Vorhees said."


Pete's take: Sawman has problems with big physical teams. This year he came in a little stronger, hopefully that will translate to game action now. 


*Cole Hayes (#11)
freshman
Guard/Forward
Six-Foot-Six- 185 lbs. 
Ridgecrest,California (Burroughs High School)

Vorhees reiterated that Cole is a big part of this team:
" Cole, Levi, Will and Halil are all huge pieces to what we do,"Vorhees said.
  Scarberry and Kelsheimer both spoke about Coach Baab and Koenig:
" TK and Coach Baab made a great find in Cole. It speaks to how they do their homework in who they recruit, Kelsheimer and Scarberry said."


Pete's take: Cole may be the most talented of the Freshman on this team. That is saying a lot considering the class they have.  Expect some big games and a lot of minutes for Hayes. 


Jack Kelsheimer (#14)
sophomore
Guard
Six-Foot- 2- 175 lbs. 
Westlake,Ohio (Cornerstone Christian Academy)


2016-17: Played in 14 games, seeing 77 minutes of action his freshman year.  Scored six points- grabbed five rebounds- and- dished out two assists.
Vorhees spoke of the minutes increase this season:
" Jack will see a lot more minutes this season.  He is a really hard worker and will fit right into what we do. He will play a lot of productive minutes this season, Vorhees said."


Pete's take: Kelsheimer will see his work-load increase dramatically this year. He may be the most improved player on the team from a season ago. 


*Will Butler (#20)
freshman
Guard/Forward
Six-Foot-Two- 240 lbs. 
Euclid,Ohio (VASJ High School)

Butler was a member of the VASJ State Championship team last season.
Vorhees commented on his ball handling skills:
" Will is a real good ball-handler for a guy his size. He handles it more like a point guard, Vorhees said."
Scarberry agreed:
" Will is a good post-player as well. He opens up the floor on the opposite side when he posts up, Scarberry said."


Pete's take: Butler will need to adjust to the speed of the college game. He will get better as the season wears on. 


*Halil Parks (#24)
freshman
Guard
Six-Foot- Two- 170 lbs.
Arlington, Va. (Wakefield High School)

Scarberry commented on his new teammate:
" Halil is fast, explosive, and shifty. Also is all over on the defensive end, Scarberry said."


Pete's take: Another piece to this loaded group of freshman that will play heavy minutes this season. Parks will be the back up point guard.  He will be real fun to watch. 


* Ethan Ching (#4) 
senior
Guard
Five-Foot-11-170 lbs.
Taguig,Phillipines (Impact Academy)

(No Stats Available) 

Vorhees commented on Ching the teammate:
" Ethan is a great teammate. He is a very good locker room guy. He makes everyone else around him better.  He is an all-around good guy, Vorhees said."
Scarberry agreed:
" Ethan brings great tenacity. He is a really good team player as well,Scarberry said."


Pete's take: Ching is a solid teammate. What he lacks in size he makes for in tenacity and busting his butt in practice everyday. 


Redshirt:
Kobie Johnson (#3)
sophomore
Guard
Six-Foot-1- 155 lbs.
Middletown,Ohio (Middletown High School)


2016-17: Had a solid freshman season.  Played in 24 games, making 22 starts.  Averaged 7.8 poins- 3.3 assists- and- 2.4 rebounds a game.  Had 19 steals and blocked four shots on the season.
Vorhees spoke of the injury Kobie had last season:
" Kobie was not all the way healthy last season.  We got off to the best start in school history and then Kobie getting hurt was big.  When he is at his best he is really hard to guard. He is really good at getting into the paint with his driving ability.  When he was at his best the team was at there best last season, Vorhees said."
Kelsheimer agreed:
"Kobie was never 100 percent last year.  He is getting better and better everyday physically, Kelsheimer said."


Pete's take: Kobie will be missed this season.  But with the depth of this team, especially the freshman class it was a no-brainer to red shirt him until he is 100 percent healthy.  


Key: * indicates a player that is new to the program this season. 

Falcons Return Home For Home Opener Saturday

The Notre Dame Falcons (1-2) will host the Concord Mountain Lions (2-1) in the home opener for NDC on Saturday. Tip time is set for 4 PM at Murphy Gym. It will also be the Mountain East Conference opener for both teams.
  NDC is coming off a 1-2 road trip in which all three games were decided by 10 points or less. In the opener last Friday NDC was a 107-99 loser in double overtime to Millersville. In game two it was a 99-95 overtime win over St.Augustine's for the Falcons. In the most recent outing for the Falcons it was a 79-76 loss to Roberts Wesleyan in Rochester,New York.
  In the first game versus Millersville Kyauta Taylor paced NDC with 37 points- Will Vorhees came off the bench to score 15- and- Angelo Cugini recorded a double-double (10 points and 11 rebounds) in his Falcons debut. NDC shot 46 percent as a team in the loss last Friday.
 The following day NDC earned their first win of the season when they defeated St.Augustine's 99-95 in overtime.  Drew Scarberry paced the Falcons with 28 points, as he buried seven 3-pointer's in the game.  Taylor was solid again, scoring 25 points and grabbing eight rebounds.  NDC shot 49 percent from the field and 88 percent from the line in that victory.
 In the most recent contest NDC played they held a 41-30 lead over Roberts Wesleyan on Wednesday night, but could not hang on and fell 79-76 in Rochester.
 Taylor led the way with 19 points, but went just 5-16 from the floor in this one. Scarberry scored 12- and- Cugini added 11 in the loss. Ja'Sean Lewis had six points- seven assists- and- broke the school record with 25 rebounds ,eclipsing the previous mark set by Geovante Rose of 21 set back in 2014. The Falcons shot 40 percent as a team both from the floor and the 3-point line.  They shot just 53 percent (10-19) from the free throw line as well. They won the rebounding battle 50-46. They had 18 assists and 15 turnovers as a team.

  The Redhawks (3-0) were led by 21 points from Peyton McLaurin- Justin Vaughan added 14- Michael Bush scored 12- and- Jean Touissant tallied 10.  They shot 38 percent from the field and 31 percent from the 3-point line. The Redhawks shot 60 percent (12-20) from the free throw line.  They had 14 assists and 10 turnovers.
  Concord was a 82-75 winner over Fayetville State to start the season. In the second game they were a 89-77 winer over Winston-Salem State.  In the most recent contest they were a 87-83 loser to Bluefield State.
  Tommy Bolte is off to a sizzling start to this season for the Mountain Lions. Bolte is averaging 37.3 points per game for the first three contests- while BJ Hamlet is the only other Mountain Lion in double figures averaging 11.3 points per game.  Bolte leads the team in assists at nearly seven per night- while- Trey Brisco leads the team in rebounding at nearly seven per game.
  The last meeting between the two clubs happened on February 18th of a year ago. The Mountain Lions were a 95-87 winner in that game.  That was after the Falcons were a 95-87 winner over the Mountain Lions in the first meeting.Each team winning on the others home floor.

Lewis Sets School Record As Falcons Fall.

On a night when Ja'Sean Lewis set the record for rebounds in a game with 25, the Notre Dame College Falcons could not hold onto a 11-point halftime lead and fell 79-76 to Roberts Wesleyan in Rochester,NY on Wednesday. With the win RWC improves to 3-0, while NDC falls to 1-2 with the defeat.
  Peyton McLaurin led the Redhawks with 21 points in the victory. He was one of four Redhawks in double figures. Justin Vaughan had 14- Michael  Bush netted 12- and- Jean Touissant also scored in double figures with 10.
 RWC shot 38 percent as a team in the game.  They shot 31 percent (9-29) from the 3-point line- they struggled at the foul line where they shot at a 60 percent clip (12-20.)  The Redhawks had 14 assists and 10 turnovers.
  The Falcons were led by 19 points from Kyauta Taylor- Drew Scarberry scored 12- while Angelo Cugini chipped in 11 points and 7 rebounds. Ja'Sean Lewis  scored six points- dished out seven assists- and- set a new school record with 25 rebounds. The 25 rebounds eclipsed the previous mark of 21 set by Geovante Rose back in 2014.
Lewis did not want to talk about the record after a tough loss though:
" It honestly don't mean anything without the win. I'll give that record back for the win." Lewis said.
  The Falcons shot 40 percent as a team. They shot 40 percent (12-30) from the 3-point line.  At the free throw line NDC shot just 53 percent (10-19.)  The Falcons won the rebounding battle 50-46. They had 18 assists and 15 turnovers in this one.
  The Falcons trailed 7-5 after the first media timeout in this one.  They would regain the lead 12-11 with just under 12 minutes to go. After a mini run it would be a four point lead (20-16) with seven minutes to go in the opening half.  After the lead stayed between 3-5 points for the next couple minutes the Falcons would stretch the lead to 11 (41-30) at the half.
  NDC would get off to a good start in the second half but the Redhawks would not go away.  They would get to within seven (47-40) with 16:19 to go. About 5 and a half minutes later the Redhawks would knot the game at 53.  The Falcons would be down by two (62-60) with just under seven minutes to play. The Redhawks would maintain the lead until NDC would go on a 5-0 run capped by a Taylor 3-pointer that would give them a 68-64 lead with 3:10 remaining. The two teams would battle and the game would be tied again, this time at 73 with 1:34 to go. After RWC took the lead and stretched it to four points Scarberry would knock down three free throws with 14 seconds left that cut the Redhawks lead to one. The Falcons had a few opportunities late but could not get over the hump and would fall in this one.
Coach Tim Koenig spoke of the tough loss:
"This was a tough loss. We have to finish our defensive possessions. We gave them second and third chances in the second half. We missed a lot of free throws, layups and open shots. If you don't make shots, you have to be that much better in other areas of the game and we were not quite good enough tonight. It is early and we will get better," Koenig said.
 NDC will be back in action Saturday when they have both the conference and home opener against the Concord Mountain Lions. Tip time is set for 4 PM at Murphy Gym.

NDC Closes Road Swing At Roberts Wesleyan Wednesday.

The Notre Dame College Falcons (1-1) close a brief three game road swing to begin the season when they take on Roberts Wesleyan (2-0) in Rochester,New York on Wednesday. Tip time is set for 7 PM.
  The Falcons opened the season with a pair of overtime games at Joe Retton Arena on the campus of Fairmont State. In the opener NDC was a 107-99 loser in double overtime to Millersville before bouncing back for a big 99-95 overtime win over Saint Augustine's on Saturday without a pair of starters. The status of both Levi Frankland and Will Vorhees is not known for Wednesday's game as they are listed as day to day.
  In game one versus Millersville the Falcons were led by 37 points from Kyauta Taylor.  Levi Frankland had 17 points in his college debut, Will Vorhees posted 15 points despite not starting.  Drew Scarberry added 11- while Angelo Cugini posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. The Falcons were doomed in this game by 28 turnovers.
  In game two the Falcons got a game high 28 points on seven 3-pointer's by Scarberry- Taylor added 25 more- while Oliver Megins had 14- and- Halil Parks added 12.  A solid shooting night including a pair of clutch free throws by Scarberry that tied the game with two seconds left in regulation led to this victory.
  The Redhawks are off to a 2-0 start. Roberts Wesleyan won the opener 67-60 over Nyac College.  Jean Touissant led the Redhawks with 19 points- while Justin Vaughan added 13.  The Redhawks shot 40 percent in this one- 32 percent from the 3-point line.  They had 14 assists and 15 turnovers.
  In game two they were a 75-56 winner over Felician-  Vaughan led the way with 17 points in the victory.  Michael Bush had 16- and- Manny Joseph scored 15.  They shot 44 percent as a team- 36 percent from the 3-point line.  They had 14 assists and 17 turnovers.
 

Falcons Win OT Thriller Saturday.

For the second consecutive day the Notre Dame College Falcons needed overtime, but this time they came out on top 99-95 at Joe Retton Arena at Fairmont State. The victory over Saint Augustine's University improved the Falcons to 1-1. While the Falcons of St.Augustine's dropped to 0-2.
  Drew Scarberry paced NDC with 28 points. The redshirt sophomore drained seven 3-pointer's in the victory and nailed two clutch free throws with two seconds left in regulation that tied the game at 80. Kyauta Taylor added 25 points- Oliver Meggins scored 14- and- Hallil Parks had 12.  NDC shot 49 percent as a team- 43 percent (15-35) from the 3-point line- and- 88 percent (22-25) at the free throw line.  Each team had 41 rebounds.  NDC had 22 assists and 18 turnovers.
  St.Augustine's was led by Quincy January, who recorded 25 points and 14 rebounds.  Tyre Gathright scored 19- Kenneth Collins had 18- and- DJ Harrison tallied a double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds.)  Quinton Morrow rounded out the double digit scorers with 11.
  SAU shot 46 percent as a team, and 41 percent (9-22) from the 3-point line.  They shot at a 80 percent clip (12-15) at the free throw line.  SAU had 14 assists and 12 turnovers as a team.
  In the first five minutes of the contest NDC would trail 9-8. It was a tough uphill battle for a Falcons team playing without both Will Vorhees and Levi Frankland in this one.  The game would be tied at 16 after a Parks 3-pointer at the 12:17 mark of the opening half.  NDC would score the next eight points and lead 24-16 after a Taylor 3-pointer at the 10:16 mark of the half.  SAU would get to within two (26-24) at the 4:31 mark after a Collins basket.  NDC would lead by one briefly late in the half after a Angelo Cugini free throw, but a 3-pointer by Morrow would give SAU a 37-35 halftime lead.
  A Scarberry 3-pointer would give NDC the lead back right out of the locker room.  After a brief lead (41-39) on a Taylor 3-pointer, SAU would run off the next nine points to take a seven point lead (48-41.)  NDC would battle back and get to within one (52-51) at the 13:25 mark after a pair of Parks free throws.  NDC would regain the lead a minute later after a Scarberry four-point play.  The next several minutes saw several lead changes and Parks would make two more NDC free throws to give the Falcons a 72-71 lead at the 3:01 mark.  NDC looked to be in command when Scarberry drilled another 3-pointer to put them up 77-73 with 45 seconds to go.  SAU would battle back with a run of their own and take a 80-78 lead after a January old fashioned three-point play with four seconds in regulation.  Quinton Morrow fouled Drew Scarberry with two seconds left and the redshirt sophomore knocked down both free throws to send the game into overtime.
   Ja'Sean Lewis gave NDC the lead to start the overtime and it would grow to six points (86-80) after a pair of dunks, one by Scarberry. The other by Lewis.  After SAU got to within four (88-84) Scarberry would knock down a 3-pointer to make it 91-84 with 1:20 in the extra session.  SAU would score the next five and get to within two (91-89) at the 49 second mark.  NDC would make eight free throws in the final 49 seconds to ice the victory.
  Drew Scarberry summed up the win:
 " We really came together after the loss yesterday and we all played our roles today.  We rebounded very well and we really executed down the stretch. Overall great team win today." Scarberry said.
  Jack Kelsheimer spoke of Scarberry and Hallil Parks roles in the victory:
 Thought on Hallil:
"It is very rare that you see a freshman play with that kind of composure in a close game.  From taking care of the ball, to knocking down free throws at the end of the game.  He doesn't play like a freshman, and he is going to be a big time player for us not only this year, but in the next few years to come."
Thoughts on Drew:
" Drew is a big time player. He showed everyone today what we already knew as a team- he is more than just a shooter. He was a great leader and came up with a big play whenever we needed.  Also had ice in his veins to knock down those two free throws to save the game and send it to overtime." Kelsheimer said.
   NDC will be back in action Wednesday when they take on Roberts Wesleyan. Tip time is set for 7 PM.

Falcons Look To Bounce Back Saturday.

The Notre Dame College Falcons (0-1) look to bounce back from a tough double overtime loss Friday night when they take on the Falcons of Saint Augustine's University (0-1) on Saturday. Tip time is set for 3 PM inside the Joe Retton Arena at Fairmont State.
  NDC was led by 37 points from Kyauta Taylor on Friday night, but could not hang on after leading most of the way.  Levi Frankland added 17 points in his college debut- Will Vorhees scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds despite not starting on Friday night.  Drew Scarberry added 11- while Angelo Cugini posted a double-double (10 points and 11 rebounds.)
  NDC shot 46 percent as a team and 32 percent (10-31) from the 3-point line.  The Falcons shot 73 percent (27-37) at the free throw line.  They had 20 assists as a team, but had trouble taking care of the ball committing 28 turnovers.
  Saint Augustine's  was a 86-63 loser to host Fairmont State on Friday. The Falcons were led by 21 points and 14 rebounds  from Quincy January.  Kasey Bryant added 12 points- while Quinton Morrow and Kenneth Collins added 10 points each.  The Falcons shot 41 percent as a team- and- went 4-14 (29 percent) from the 3-point line.  They were 5-7 (71 percent) at the free throw line.  The Falcons had 11 assists and 15 turnovers in the opener.
  The two teams have never met before. You can catch the action at NotreDameFalcons.com

 

Marauders Outlast Falcons Friday.

In a tight battle that saw eight ties and 11 lead changes the Notre Dame Falcons fell 107-99 in double overtime to the Marauders of Millersville University at Joe Retton Arena on the campus of Fairmont State in the MEC/ PSAC Challenge Friday. NDC fell to 0-1 on the season, while Millersville improved to 1-0 with their first win in an opener since 2011.
  NDC had five players in double figures paced by 37 points from senior Kyauta Taylor. Freshman Levi Frankland  had 17 points in his NDC debut- Will Vorhees scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds in 30 minutes- redshirt sophomore Drew Scarberry added 11- and- redshirt junior Angelo Cugini tallied a double-double (10 points and 11 rebounds.)
  NDC shot 46 percent from the field- 32 percent (10-31) from the 3-point line- and- 73 percent (27-37) from the free throw line. The Falcons won the rebounding battle 53-42.  They had 20 assists and 28 turnovers as a team.
 The Marauders were led by 29 points from Conrad Chambers- Mark Perry added 20- Caden Najdawi added 18- Andre Watkins scored 12- and- Jordan Greene netted 10.
 Millersville shot 45 percent as a team. They shot 32 percent (7-22) from the 3-point line- and- 77 percent (26-34) at the free throw line.  They had 17 assists and 13 turnovers.
   The two teams traded baskets early and the game was tied at five. The Falcons then opened up a four point lead (16-12) at the 14:22 mark as Taylor scored nine points in that span.  The Marauders would fight back as they did all night and take a 20-19 lead midway thru the half.  The Falcons would score the next seven points capped by a Frankland 3-pointer to put them up six (26-20) with 8:16 in the half.  The Marauders would take a 40-37 lead into the intermission after a 9-2 run to close the half.
  NDC came out hot in the second half and started on a 17-4 run after a Taylor free throw at the 14:55 mark to put them up 10 (54-44.)  The Marauders would go on a 8-0 run of their own to cut the lead to two (54-52.)   At the 7:35 mark Millersville would take the lead (68-67.)  The two teams battled into the final minute and Millersville got a pair of Mark Perry free throws with nine seconds left to tie it. NDC had a chance to win it but could not convert and we went to overtime tied at 81.
  Each team would score nine points in the extra session.  Once again NDC would have a chance to win it with the last possession but could not convert as we went to the second overtime knotted at 90.
  The second overtime started the same way as the first did. Six lead changes happened in the first 2:32 of the second extra period. At the 2:22 mark it would be tied but the Marauders opened up a six point lead with one minute to go after a three-point play by Watkins. The Marauders hit five free throws in the final minute to ice the victory for Millersville.
  NDC redshirt sophomore Drew Scarberry was quick to put the tough loss in perspective:
" We just have to get better at hitting the boards on both ends of the court.  Need to execute better when we come out of timeouts.  But at the end of the day it's only our first game of a long season.  We can learn from this and move onto tomorrow and come out with a vengeance ready to go." Scarberry said.
  NDC will be back in action Saturday at 3 PM when they take on Saint Augustine at Joe Retton Arena.
 
 

NDC Opens Season At The Conference Challenge.

The Notre Dame College Falcons open the 2017-18 season on Friday night when they take on the Marauders of Millersville in the Conference Challenge at Fairmont State. Tip time is set for 6 PM.
  The Falcons who finished 16-13 a season ago and 10-12 in the MEC are led by fifth year head coach Tim Koenig. He is 64-57 overall in his five seasons and 41-47 in conference play.
  NDC was picked to finish fifth in the MEC and did receive one first place vote. The Falcons were 7-6 on the road last season, as well as 7-6 at home. Will Vorhees will return for his Senior season. The Columbus native was  First Team All-Atlantic- Second Team All American- and All_District First Team. He was second in all of DII averaging 26.8 points per game- to go along with 10.3 rebounds a night which was tied for 16th in the country.  Also returning is Kyauta Taylor who was a Second Team All-Conference performer last year. Taylor led NDC with 47 steals- and- was tied for 21st in the nation with 97 3-pointer's made. Ja'Sean Lewis also returns. Lewis was tied for 17th in the nation with 66 blocks. Lewis led the team in assists as well. Drew Scarberry who is a Redshirt Sophomore led the team in 3-point percentage (45.1 percent.)  Last season ended with a heartbreaking 71-68 loss to Shepherd in the MEC Tournament.  A season ago NDC averaged 82.3 points per game- they shot 47 percent from the field- and- 36 percent from the 3-point line.
  Millersville comes into the season picked to finish eight in the PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.)  The Marauders look to improve on a 2-11 road record they had a season ago. They went 7-6 at home last season.  Marcus Addison led the team at 15.4 points per contest.  Jordan Greene led the team with 131 rebounds- and- was tied for the team lead with Kaba Yarnadou averaging five rebounds per night.  They averaged 30.9 rebounds per game as a team.  Markeith Mont led the team in field goal percentage, shooting 56 percent on the season. Conrad Chambers led the team shooting 82 percent from the free throw line.  The Marauders as a team shot 42 percent from the field and 35 percent from the 3-point line.
  NDC and Millersville will be meeting for the first time in school history.