Box Score SALEM, W.Va. -- The Notre Dame Falcons shot the lights out in the opening half of Saturday afternoon's game against Salem International (W.Va.) and established a 14 point halftime lead, but had a hard time finding open shots in the second half, and saw their lead disappear in a 71-68 loss to the Tigers. (Box)

The Tigers completed their remarkable comeback in the second half, closing the game on a 13-4 run over the final five minutes and 22 seconds.  During that stretch, the Falcons went 0-for-3 from the floor, and turned the ball over four times.

For the Falcons (4-8) (the loss marks their fourth in a row, matching their longest losing streak of the season.  The victory for the Tigers (2-12) brought a seven game losing streak to an end.

Notre Dame caught fire in the opening half, hitting 65.2 percent (15-for-23) of their shots, including an 80-percent clip (4-for-5) from long distance, and they hit all six of their free throws. 

The Falcons were down, 16-13 with 10:50 to go in the opening half, when Marcquice Taylor hit a 3-pointer, which kick started an 11-2 run for the Falcons, giving them the lead for the rest of the half.  NDC took the lead at the 8:49-mark after Phil Biggs's layup. 

The Tigers were down, 24-20, when Notre Dame went on a 10-2 run, which was capped by Brennan Osborn's 3-ball with 3:45 to play in the opening half, giving the Falcons a 34-22 advantage.  Notre Dame went into the locker room with a commanding, 40-26 advantage. 

The second half was a totally different story.  Turnovers were a big issue for the Falcons all afternoon, as they committed 27 in the contest. The Tigers were able to cut the halftime deficit in half, just five minutes into the second stanza.  They forced five NDC turnovers, and brought the Falcons' lead down to seven (47-40) after hitting four out of their first nine shots in the half. 

With 13:11 remaining in the contest, the Falcons led, 57-46, but went ice cold from the floor, and did not score for the next six minutes.  During that cold spell, the Tigers narrowed the deficit to four (57-53) after Kam'ar LeBrew hit a 3-pointer with 9:17 to go. 

Notre Dame was held to just two field goals the rest of the way, while the Tigers began another big run, and continued to hit their foul shots.  SIU shot a perfect, 15-for-15 from the charity stripe on the night. 

Cedric Collins hit a layup with 3:14 to go, evening the score at 66-66.  Notre Dame had several chances to take the lead, but missed three out of four free throws over the next two minutes, allowing the Tigers to claim a 69-67 lead, with 1:29 remaining on Corey Duncan's 3-pointer. 

Raphi Tekie split a pair of free throws with 1:03 to play, before Taylor came away with a big steal.  Down only one (69-68) with 19 seconds to go, Nate Ensz missed a jumper, and the Tigers came away with the rebound.  Walter Brock iced the game by nailing a pair of free throws with 15 seconds remaining.

"This is a terrible loss, there is no way to sugar coat it, and I really couldn't be more dissapointed," said Head Coack Kevin Bille. "We need to be a lot tougher mentally, and have more pride in both this institution, and this program.  It is our job to rerpesent NDC to the best of our ability, and we didn't do that today."

Three Falcons scored in double figures, as Taylor led all scorers with 23 points, while Biggs added 17 and Ensz contributed with 10.  Ensz also led the Falcons with eight rebounds, and Kalomo Figueroa-Jackson added five assists. 

The Falcons are in action again on Wednesday, Jan 11, when they head back to Murphy Gymnasium, and play host to Urbana. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 PM. 

NOTES FROM THE NEST ...

TIGER TALK: St. Salem College received its charter from the State of West Virginia in December 1888 and offered its first term of instruction beginning in April 1889. It was founded by members of the local community and the Seventh Day Baptist Church. Located in Salem, W.Va., the 100-acre campus is nestled in the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia. The Tigers endorse five men's, and six women's varsity athletic programs.
GOING FOR SECONDS: Prior to Saturday's contest, the Falcons had performed pretty well in the second half over their last six games. They hadoutscored their opponents, 219-194 during that stretch, and  forced 51 turnovers in the second half over their last six games as well, coming away with 24 steals.  The Falcons shot 44.6-percent (86-for-193) in the aforementioned stretch, with Taylor leading the way, averaging 10.0 points in the second half of those games.

JANUARY JOLT: The Falcons have been extremely good in the month of January over their last four seasons.  Notre Dame holds a 17-9 record in the first month of the calendar year, dating back to the 2008-09 season.  While they went 4-4 in January last season, the Falcons went on a tear over nine games in January of 2010, going 8-1 during that stretch.