Falcons Drop Close Call To Raiders.

The Notre Dame Falcons remained win less in conference play at Murphy Gym this season. The Falcons fell Friday 62-58 to Roberts Wesleyan.

Roberts Wesleyan improved to 9-10 and 3-5 in the AMC. A pair of Raiders scored in double figures Friday. Jordan Heath posted a game high 23 points to go along with 9 rebounds. Alif Bland added 10 points and 5 boards for Roberts Wesleyan. The Raiders shot 47% from the floor including 5-14 (36%) from long range. The Raiders were 63% (5-8 at the foul line). The Raiders won despite getting crushed on the boards 44-24. The Raiders had 21 assists to go along with just 11 turnovers. The Raiders who lead the AMC in blocked shots improved that number blocking 9 shots Friday. They also had 8 steals as a team.

The Falcons 7-12 (2-5 AMC) dropped a second straight close call at home. The Falcons had three players score in double figures. Eric Dummermuth led the way with 17 points and 7 rebounds for the Falcons. Curtis McClure chipped in 14 points off the bench on 7 of 10 shooting. Taylor Reiger added 11 points and 4 assists to round out the double digit scorers. The Falcons shot 23-60 (38%) from the field as a team. The Falcons struggled both from three point land (5-17) and from the charity stripe (7-13). The Falcons had 12 assists along with 18 turnovers.

Both teams came out of the gates ice cold. Heath Jordan nailed a three with 18:00 to go in the opening half for the Raiders for the games first points. The teams would then trade buckets and a triple by Reiger would give the Falcons a 8-7 lead with 15:56 in the half. Wesleyan would then go on a 8-1 run that would give them a 15-9 lead with 13:54 in the half. The lead would stay at between 5-7 until a 6-0 Falcons run would give the Falcons a 27-26 lead on a pair of Dummermuth free throws. The Falcons would take a 32-30 lead heading into the locker room.

The second half would start the same way as the first did. Neither team would score in the first 2 minutes once again. Finally Alif Bland would break the drought and tie the game at 32 with 17:39 remaining. After a Dummermuth jumper gave the Falcons a brief lead the Raiders would score the next six points for a 38-34 lead. The Falcons would fight back and a Nate Ensz jumper would cap a 5-0 run that would give NDC a 43-42 lead with 11:27 left. Each team would then make another mini run and a pair of Jordan Heath free throws would give Wesleyan a 51-50 lead with 7:25 left. The two teams would go back and forth and the Falcons would take a 58-57 lead with 2:11 to go in the game. The Raiders would score the last five points as the Raiders suffocating defense shut down the Falcons late. NDC had one last chance down 4 with 2 seconds remaining but Nate Ensz missed a pair of free throws that sealed it.

The Falcons will be back in action Saturday as they look to right the ship against the Highlanders of Houghton. Tip time is set for 4 PM.