Walsh Too Much For NDC in AMC Title Game.

The Walsh Cavaliers came into Saturday's AMC title game as the number one team in the nation in the NAIA and the next forty minutes proved why. The Cavaliers came into Murphy Gym and claimed the AMC title and the automatic bid to the NAIA tournament that goes with it with a 85-57 thrashing of Notre Dame. It was only NDC's second home loss of the season and first since a loss to Siena Heights back in December. The Falcons (19-11) fell for the fifth time in the past seven games. Walsh has now defeated NDC all seven times they have played them. The loss was the first by the Falcons to a conference opponent in Murphy Gym all season.

Walsh improved to 28-2 with their 9th consecutive victory. This season will be Walsh's sixth consecutive trip to the NAIA National tournament.

The Cavaliers jumped on NDC early and took the crowd out of the game with a 18-7 run in the first five minutes and 45 seconds. The game was played pretty much evenly for the rest of the first half. Walsh would get a buzzer beating runner by Lamar Skeeter at the half to take a 47-32 lead into the locker room. Walsh only committed one turnover in the first twenty minutes and shot 50% from the floor. The Cavs were true on 11 of 12 at the charity stripe in the opening stanza. Walsh pretty much dominated the second half and would lead by as many as 30 (75-45) in the second half.

Notre Dame was led by 15 points and 8 rebounds from Eric Dummermuth. Curtis Mclure was the only other Falcon in double digits with 11. Notre Dame shot just 34.5 % from the floor (20 of 58 for the game) and 33 percent from the three point line. The Falcons did not help themselves by going just 11-23 (48%) from the charity stripe.

Walsh was led by a monster game from Ricky Jackson. Jackson scored 22 of his 33 points in the first half and added 10 rebounds to complete the double-double. Lamar Skeeter added 20 points for Walsh. Walsh shot 28 of 55 (50.9%) for the game.

NDC will get a second crack to qualify for the NAIA national tournament when they host Cedarville. Tip time on Tuesday night is set for 7:30 at Murphy Gymnasium.