SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- In his final game at Murphy Gymnasium, Notre Dame's lone senior, #Curtis McClure# led all scorers by pouring in a career high, 31 points on Thursday night, as the Falcons defeated Point Park (Pa.), 95-88. (Box)

For the Falcons (11-18, 6-11), the victory gives them back-to-back wins at home for the first time all year, and marks their second victory in their last three games. For the Pioneers (14-11, 8-9) the loss snaps a three game winning streak, and significantly decreases their chances at making the AMC tournament next week.

Both teams used a barrage of 3-pointers to light up the scoreboard in the first half. The two teams remained close in the opening stanza. The Pioneers held a 15-14 edge, at the 13:23-mark, when they began a 16-4 run, which was capped at the 10:13-mark on a pair of Kris Douse free throws, giving the Pioneers a 29-18 lead.

#Rodney Mickens# caught fire shortly thereafter, scoring the game's next seven points. Mickens was not the only one heating up for the Falcons, as #Taylor Rieger# buried a trio of 3-pointers over four Notre Dame possessions, bringing NDC all the way back at the 3:32 mark to give the Falcons a 38-37 lead.

The Falcons and Pioneers went into the locker room at the half, deadlocked at 44-44. Both teams shot the ball well in the opening stanza, and took plenty of chances from 3-point land. Notre Dame hit on 50.0 percent (15-for-30) of their shots in the game's first 20 minutes, while Point Park shot 47 percent (15-for-32) in the first half. Notre Dame buried 39 percent (7-for-18) of their 3-pointers, while Point Park netted 41.0 percent (7-for-17) of their 3-balls.

Notre Dame and Point Park remained extremely close through the first seven minutes of the second half. During that stretch, neither team led by more than four points. The Falcons were down, 61-59, at the 13:11 mark, before they went on an 8-0 run, to take a 67-61 advantage, and never trailed the rest of the way.

The Falcons had a four point lead with a minute to play, when the Pioneers decided to foul Mickens. Mickens responded by nailing eight consecutive free throws down the stretch to ice the victory for the Falcons. He finished the night going 12-for-12 from the charity stripe.

McClure led all scorers with his 31 point performance, and delivered his first double-double of the season by snagging 10 rebounds. Mickens's perfect performance from the foul line significantly contributed to his huge night, as he also turned in a career high, with 30 points. Rieger was also in double figures, scoring 16 points and dished out 11 assists.

“We were able to step up and hit some big shots tonight,” said Head Coach #Kevin Bille#. “We figured that we would get some good looks tonight, and we did a nice job of executing.”

The Blue & White will finish the season with their next contest on Saturday, Feb. 19. The Falcons will face Cedarville in another AMC tilt. The contest is scheduled to tip 7:30 p.m. 

NOTES FROM THE NEST:

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Thursday night was senior night at Murphy Gymnasium. The Falcons honored their lone senior, McClure. McClure is a two-year member of the program who transferred to NDC prior to the 09-10 season. He's been a valuable and versatile contributor over those two seasons, averaging 10.4 points per game both as a starter and as the Falcons' sixth man. This season, he has perhaps saved his best for last, as he's averaged 19.0 points per contest over his last nine games.

Over his NDC career, McClure has played in 60 games and made 13 starts. He averaged 8.7 PPG last season, and is averaging 12.1 PPG this year. He's shooting 53.5 percent this season (147-for-275) and 50.8 percent in his career (259-for-510). McClure has led NDC in minutes off bench both last year and this season.

POINTS OF PRIDE: The Falcons and Pioneers have met 18 times in the all time series, which dates all the way back to 2002. Point Park holds a 12-6 edge in the all-time series, and they won the first six meetings between the two teams. The Falcons are 4-4 at home all time against the Pioneers, and they have beaten Point Park just twice on the road in nine tries. Five of the last six meetings have been decided by less than 10 points.

HOME NOTES: Thursday evening's game marked the final one of the year for the Falcons at Murphy Gymnasium. The Falcons went 5-8 at home this season. Notre Dame won two of their first three games at Murphy Gymnasium this season. NDC came into the 2010-11 campaign, with victories in 50 out of their last 70 games at home. While at home, the Falcons shot 49.4 percent (401-for-811) from the floor, while holding their opponents to a 43.4 percent (346-for-797) clip from the floor. The Falcons have outscored their opponents by an average of 8.6 PPG, while outrebounding the opposition, by 12.8 RGP in 12 home tilts this season.