Box Score SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- The Notre Dame Falcons set a program record on Wednesday night, by burying 34 free throws, as they held off a late charge by Salem International (W.Va.),  defeating the Tigers, 79-73. (Box)

Notre Dame (8-14) shot 87.2-percent (34-for-39) from the charity stripe, and hit seven big ones over the final 75 seconds of the game to secure the victory.  Nathan Ensz shot a perfect, 12-for-12 from the line on the night.  Five other Falcons scored in double figures as well.

For the Falcons, the victory marks their third in their last four games at home, and marks the first time that they've won games consecutively since December. For Salem International (5-17) the loss marks their fourth in their last five games.

The Tigers caught fire early on, getting two 3-pointers from Ray'mar Porter in the first two minutes of the game, and found themselves ahead, 12-6, after Juanito Moises buried a pair of free throws at the 16:22-mark.  Unfortunately for the Tigers, after Porter's last three ball, they went on an 0-for-13 slump from beyond the arc the rest of the half. 

The 3-point shooting drought allowed the Falcons to charge ahead and take the lead.  Notre Dame went on a 13-3 run after Moises's free throws, which was capped by Raphi Tekie's 3-pointer with 12:01 to play in the opening half.  Tekie's rainmaker gave the Falcons a 19-15 lead, and they never looked back.   

Notre Dame led by as many as 10 on two separate occasions, and took a 41-36 lead into the locker room at the half.  NDC shot very well in the opening stanza, hitting 55.2-percent (16-for-29) of their shots from the floor. 

The second half included a number of big runs for both teams.  The Tigers narrowed their deficit down to one (54-53) at the 12:55-mark after Kenneth McCornell hit a 3-pointer.  Notre Dame then caught fire, and established their largest lead of the night (67-55) after Ensz sank two more free throws with 5:40 to play. 

"Our defense was as good as its been all year during that stretch," said Head Coach Kevin Bille. "I was very pleased with our effort and execution."

McCornell kept the Tigers close over the final three minutes of the contest, connecting on a pair of big 3-pointers, and scored six of their final eight points, but the Falcons made it impossible for the Tigers to get back into the game, and wrapped things up by shooting 90.3-percent (28-for-31) from the charity stripe in the second half. 

Marcquice Taylor led the way for the Falcons with 17 points, and added four assists.  Lawrence DeArmond had 11 first half points, and finished the game with 14, while Ensz added 14 points and five rebounds. Phil Biggs added another double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.  Troy Baugh came a rebound away from securing his second double-double of the season with 10 points and nine boards, and Taylor Rieger added 10 points as well.

"I was really happy with our balance, and our guys did a great job of knocking down their free throws," said Bille. 

The Falcons are in action again on Saturday, Feb. 11, when they hit the road again, and head to Canton, Ohio, to take on Malone. Tip-off is slated for 4:00 PM.

NOTES FROM THE NEST ...

2011-12 REMATCHES: The Falcons have seven opponents on their 2011-12 schedule that they play multiple times.  So far, the Falcons are 2-3 in rematches against those opponents.  In addition to their victory on Wednesday, their other  win in a rematch this season, came in a 70-68 victory over Houghton back on Dec. 10.  NDC lost their rematches against Roberts Wesleyan, Urbana, and Cedarville. 

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS: The Falcons have played in some very close games this season.  Of their 22 contests, 11 have been decided by six points or less, which includes a pair of overtime victories.  Both overtime wins came at home for the Falcons.  They defeated Houghton, 79-76, in the season opener, and topped Malone, 85-84.    

BILLE TO BE HONORED: Earlier this week, Walsh University unveiled it's list of the top-50 players in program history, and NDC Head Coach Kevin Bille is on that list.  Bille will be honored by Walsh on Saturday, Feb. 25, when the Falcons take on the Cavaliers.