SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- The Notre Dame Falcons committed 11 turnovers in the first 12 minutes of Thursday afternoon's contest against Lake Erie, digging themselves a hole that they were never able to get out of, as they fell in the championship game of the 2010 NDC Comfort Inn Holiday Tournament, 81-73. (Box)

For the Falcons (5-10), the loss was their third in their last four games, dropping their record to 3-5 in tournament games. For the Storm (4-6) the victory secured the 2010 NDC Comfort Inn Holiday Tournament championship, marking their first victory over Notre Dame since 2002.

Notre Dame fell behind early, as the Storm scored their first five points off of Falcons turnovers, taking a 5-0 lead, 55 seconds into the contest. At the 16:14 mark, NDC took a one point lead (8-7) when #Taylor Reiger# hit from behind the 3-point line after #Troy Baugh# picked Ethan Bradshaw's pocket.

In the midst of a 9-2 run by the visiting Storm, pushed Lake Erie's lead to eight (10-18) with 11:52 remaining in the first period. The Blue & White would battle back closing the gap to four (26-30) at the 6:21 mark on a 3-pt basket by #Rodney Mickens#.

The Falcons trailed, 26-33, but the Storm outscored the Falcons, 10-8, over the last four minutes to take a 34-43 lead into the locker room at the half. The Falcons hit on 100 percent (4-for-4) of their three-pointers in the first half, but committed 15 turnovers, which led to 22 points for the Storm.

Notre Dame was unable to close the gap through the first part of the second half, and fell behind by as many as 13 (64-51). The Falcons were able to draw a little closer in the second stanza after #Phil Biggs# buried a pair of 3-pointers inside the three minute mark, pulling the Falcons within six (73-67), but Matt Grendel netted a big 3-pointer at the 1:01 mark to give the Storm a 76-67 advantage, taking the wind out of the sails for the Falcons. NDC made it tough for the Storm to close out, as they continuously fouled Lake Erie over the game's final 60 seconds. During that stretch, the Storm made just 53.8 percent (7-for-13) of their free throws, but did enough to secure the win.

Four Falcons scored in double figures. NDC was led by Rieger who scored 13 points on the afternoon, while Biggs, #Eric Dummermuth# and #Curtis McClure# each added 12 points a piece. Biggs led the Falcons with nine rebounds, while Dummermuth added seven. The Falcons shot 52.1 percent (25-for-48) on the afternoon from the floor, and 63.6 percent (7-for-11) from beyond the arc, but committed 23 turnovers and had just 12 assists.

The Storm also had four players score in double figures. Grendel and Bradshaw led Lake Erie with 16 points each, while Justin Roth added 13 and Brandon Smith contributed with 11. Lake Erie was simply unstoppable from 3-point land, shooting 52.0 percent (13-for-25) from beyond the arc, but they struggled mightily from the charity stripe, hitting just 40.0 percent (8-for-20) of their foul shots.


The Blue & White will return to action on the road, Wednesday, Jan. 5, squaring off against AMC foe, Wilberforce Ohio. The contest is scheduled to tip at 7:30 p.m.


NOTES FROM THE NEST:

HOLIDAY THREE: The Falcons and Storm combined for 68.4 percent (13-for-19) from behind the three-point arch in the opening half. Notre Dame shot a perfect 4-for-4 (100 percent) while Lake Erie, made 56.3 percent (9-for-16).

COUNTY CLASH: Thursday's clash marked the fifth meeting between the Falcons and the Storm, and their first since 2003, with the Storm now holding a 3-2 edge in the series. The Falcons won the previous meeting, 97-71, seven years ago. Notre Dame won the first meeting between the two on a neutral site, 74-70, in 2001, before Lake Erie won the next two meetings on their home floor. NDC's 97-71 victory in 2003 occurred at Murphy Gymnasium.

TURNING THE CALENDAR: The Falcons have struggled in the month of December over the past three seasons. Since the 2008-09 season, the Falcons are 9-14 in the final month of the calendar year. However, during that same stretch, the Falcons have posted a 7-4 record at Murphy Gymnasium, while going 3-10 on neutral sites and road games.

BOARDWALK: The Falcons have been amongst the best in rebounding this season at the NAIA-II level. The Falcons rank in the top 35 in the nation in total rebounds (39.7, RPG), defensive rebounds (24.6 DRPG) and offensive boards (12.2 ORPG). Dummermuth is now just 12 rebounds away from setting the school record for career rebounds.