ADRIAN, Mich. -- The Notre Dame Falcons put up an excellent defensive effort in the second half of Saturday night's contest against Adrian (Mich.), holding the Bulldogs to just 19 second half points, but fell in overtime, 67-62. (Box)

For the Falcons (2-5, 0-1), the loss marked their third in their last four games, and dropped their record to 0-2 all time against Adrian. For the Bulldogs (4-6, 1-0), the victory marked the first time this season that they've won consecutive games.

The two teams remained close through the first eight minutes of the contest. Notre Dame held a 12-10 lead at the 11:38 mark in the opening stanza, before the Bulldogs went on a 14-3 run over the next seven minutes, and found themselves ahead, 24-15, at the 4:55 mark. The Falcons were held to a 38.1 percent (8-for-21) clip from the floor in the first half, and went 4-for-9 (44.4 percent) from the free throw line. The Bulldogs held a 31-23 advantage at halftime, despite shooting just 34.4 percent (11-for-32) from the floor.

The Bulldogs were hot early in the second half, and took their largest lead of the game, 39-26, just two and a half minutes into the second stanza, before the Falcons rallied and went on a 17-2 run, and took a 42-41 lead, at the 10:26 mark, on a 3-pointer from Rodney Mickens. The lead changed hands four more times throughout the rest of the second half, and at the 2:18 mark, Ray Reed buried a bucket for the Bulldogs to tie the game at 50-50. The two teams were rendered scoreless for the rest of the half, forcing Notre Dame's first overtime game of the season.

In overtime, the Bulldogs caught fire, especially from the free throw line, where they scored 10 of their 18 points, by going 10-for-14 (71.4 percent) from the line, while the Falcons were held to a 30.8 percent clip in the extra session on just 4-for-13 shooting. The Bulldogs went on a 12-0 run to start the overtime period, and Notre Dame was never able to recover.

Four Falcons scored in double figures. Mickens led NDC with a career high, 19 points, and also added a pair of steals. Taylor Rieger added 15 points and paced the Falcons with seven assists, while Phil Biggs added 11 points and seven boards. Eric Dummermuth was limited to a season low in points, but still turned in his second consecutive double-double, with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

The Bulldogs had five players score in double figures. Mitch Gabriele and Cody Barnes led the Bulldogs with 12 points each, Wesley Reed added 11 points, while both Delano Collins and Ray Reed both scored 10 points.


The Blue & White will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 11. They will participate in the Mercyhurst tournament in Erie, Pa. The first round game on Saturday will begin at 6 p.m., and they are scheduled to tip in the second round on Sunday, Dec. 12, at 1 p.m.


NOTES FROM THE NEST:

TOUGH ROAD AHEAD: Saturday's contest began a string of five consecutive road games for the Falcons. Notre Dame will play in the Mercyhurst Tournament next weekend, and will follow with a matchup against No. 19 ranked (NAIA Coaches Poll) Indiana Wesleyan, before wrapping up the road swing with an AMC matchup against Mount Vernon Nazarene five days before Christmas.

ON THE MOVE: With 10 points and 13 rebounds, Dummermuth continues to climb on Notre Dame's all time lists. Dummermuth still ranks third all time on the all time scoring list with 1,379 career points. He's also third on the all time list with 702 career rebounds, and now holds the NDC record for free throws made, with 353.

CRASHING THE GLASS: The Falcons have outrebounded their opponents in all but one game this season. NDC has outrebounded the opposition by an average of 5.3 rebounds per game (301-264). Heading into Saturday's duel, the Falcons ranked 17th in offensive rebounds per game and 21st in total rebounds.