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SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- Notre Dame lost their second straight game Wednesday, dropping a 63-60 decision at home to Madonna. After falling behind early, the Falcons enjoyed a second-half comeback. In the end, a late rally fell short, as NDC fell to 8-3 on the season.

Freshman forward #Eric Dummermuth# garnered 19 points and nine rebounds to lead the Falcons.

In the opening frame, Madonna (4-9) pecked away at the Murphy Gymnasium scoreboard with long-range shooting. The Crusaders were 5-of-9 from beyond the arc in the opening period. MU also dominated on the glass, outrebounding NDC, 21-13. Senior guard Cedric Sims (Canton, Mich.) was 3-of-3 from 3-point range in the first. He tallied 13 first-half points to lead Madonna.

In the second, the Falcons gradually chipped away at the Crusader lead with solid rebounding and defense. Still down 10 (57-47) with 5:32 remaining in the game, Notre Dame went on a 13-4 run to cut the Crusader advantage to one point, at 61-60. Madonna, however, preserved a slim lead over the final seconds to earn the three-point road win.

With the win, MU has now won four straight after beginning the season 0-9.

Turnovers played a key role in the game, with Madonna winning the battle of miscues, 16-10. The Falcon starting five combined to commit 12 turnovers against just six assists.

“We were pathetic," said NDC head coach #Kevin Bille#. "Give all the credit to Madonna. They came in here and kicked our butts in every facet of the game – they outplayed us, they out-coached us and simply wanted it more. By no means did we deserve to win this game tonight.”

For the game, Notre Dame shot 45.5 percent (20-for-44). They hit on just three of 14 attempts from beyond the 3-point arc and were uncharacteristically outscored at the free throw line, 17-8.

Dummermuth scored his game-high 19 points on a gritty 6-of-10 night from the floor. He also knocked down six free throws in seven attempts. The freshman from Dover, Ohio, has now scored 17 points or more in five straight contests.

Junior center #Karim McFarlane# was the only other Falcon to finish in double figures; he scored 10.

Notre Dame's next game is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 20, when the Falcons travel to Amherst, N.Y., to take on the Wildcats of Daemen College. That game is slated to tip off at 4 p.m. NDC then returns to College Road on Monday, Dec. 22, to host a 4 p.m. game against Waynesburg (Pa.).


NOTES FROM THE NEST…

SECOND IN A SERIES:  Wednesday's game was the second all-time between Notre Dame and Madonna. The two programs met on Dec. 18, 2004, also in South Euclid, with the Falcons defeating the Crusaders, 91-69. … Madonna is located in Livonia, Mich. The Crusaders compete as an NAIA institution in 11 sports, and MU is a member of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC).

HOLIDAY AT HOME:  After NDC's next home game (Dec. 22), the Falcons' remaining December schedule calls for an exhibition game at Cleveland State on Dec. 27 and then a pair of home tournament games (the NDC Holiday Classic) on Dec. 29-30.