Box Score
WILBERFORCE, Ohio -- A sluggish start cost the Notre Dame Falcons on Tuesday evening, as their season came to an end in a 75-65 loss on the road against Central State in the opening round of the Ohio Independent Championships.

For the Falcons (10-17), the loss was their second in a row, and gives them nine losses in their last 10 road games and for the Marauders (19-8) the victory marks their sixth in their last seven games, and their seventh straight at home.

Four Falcons scored in double figures, including senior Phil Biggs, who closed out his NDC career with his eighth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Notre Dame was ice cold to start the contest, and they were held without a field goal for nearly five minutes.  Meanwhile, Central State took advantage, and went on an 8-1 run to start the game, and never trailed throughout the evening. 

The Falcons missed their first seven shots on the night, and didn't get their first basket until Biggs dialed up from long distance at the 15:07-mark.  Lawrence DeArmond hit a free throw moments later, bringing the Falcons within three (8-5), but that was as close as they would get the rest of the half. 

Central State responded by going on a 12-0 run after DeArmond's free throw, and found themselves ahead, 20-5, with 10:21-remaining in the opening half.  The Marauders maintained that double digit lead for most of the final 10 minutes of the first half, and held a 37-26 advantage over the Falcons at halftime.  

The Falcons had trouble making shots in the first half, hitting on just 37.0-percent (10-for-27) from the floor, including a 25.0-percent (2-for-8) clip from 3-point land.  The Marauders on the other hand, shot 50.0-percent in the first half, on a 16-for-32 shooting performance. 

Notre Dame found its shooting touch in the second half, hitting five out of their first seven shots from the floor, and went on an incredible, 13-0 run, over a four minute stretch, bringing them back within one (46-45).  Senior forward Troy Baugh nailed a jumper at the 16:11-mark to kick start the NDC rally, and Kalomo Figueroa-Jackson's 3-ball at the 12:19-mark capped it.

CSU, however, answered very quickly, outscoring NDC, 9-2, over the following two minutes.  The Falcons stayed within striking distance down the stretch, and trailed by just five (66-61) after Baugh buried another jumper with 3:40 to play. 

"We dug ourselves a big hole early on, and just never recovered," said Head Coach Kevin Bille.  "We gave it a great go in the second half though, and I'm extremely proud of our kids."

The Marauders put the game away, but making three out of their final four shots from the floor and Greg Rice hit three big free throws in the final two minutes of the game to seal the deal.

The Falcons shot 50.0-percent (14-for-28) from the floor in the second half, and hit on 43.6-percent (24-for-55) on the night, but had a very tough time making their free throws, netting just 52.6-percent (10-for-19) of their shots from the charity stripe. 

In addition to Biggs's 10 points, Marcquice Taylor led the way from NDC with 16 points, and six assists.  DeArmond closed out the season on a very strong note, turning in his seventh consecutive game with 10 points or more, as he finished with 15 and Raphi Tekie ended up with 11. 

The contest marked the final game in the career of five seniors; Biggs, Baugh, Brennan Osborn, Nathan Snarr and Steve Savel. 

"I can't say enough about our seniors," Bille added.  "They are great kids, and they have definitely left their mark on this program.  We are very appreciative of all they've done."


NOTES FROM THE NEST ...

BIG HOLE TO PHIL: Tuesday night's contest brought an end to the remarkable career of Phil Biggs.  Biggs ranks in the top five in nine different categories in program history.  The senior from Byesville, Ohio, leaves with 63 career blocks, second most in school history, and his 620 rebounds, are fourth most in NDC history as well.  Biggs played in 120 games during his NDC career.  Only three student athletes played in more games than that in the history of the program.  His 44.6-percent (29-for-65) 3-point field goal percentage in the 2010-11 season, is still the finest single season mark in school history.

A SEASON OF STEALS: The 2011-12 Falcons averaged 7.7 steals per game, second most in a single season in program history.  In addition, NDC averaged 13.6 assists per game, a mark which was also second most in program history. 

BLOCK PARTY: Notre Dame averaged 2.8 blocks per game this season, third highest in a single season in the history of the program.  In addition, the Falcons shot 33.9-percent (160-472) from 3-point land, a mark that ranks fifth best in program history.

The 2011-12 Ohio Independent Championships are end-of-season playoffs involving seven institutions in select sports with competition completed before the NCAA Division II regional and national tournaments. Participating schools include Division II members Central State University and Urbana University as well as five schools, who are currently in the Division II membership process - Cedarville University, Malone University, Notre Dame College, Ursuline College (women's only), and Walsh University.  All are independents in 2011-12.