Box Score SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- The Notre Dame Falcons used an incredible second half surge to take down No. 23 Glenville State, in a 75-66 victory over the Pioneers.
Notre Dame (9-7, 5-5 MEC) won their seventh game at home in eight tries, while the loss for Glenville State (12-4, 8-2) marks the first time that they've lost games consecutively all year.
A tremendous shooting performance, and a big advantage on the glass were two key factors for the Falcons in the win. Notre Dame shot 50.0-percent (27-for-54) from the floor on the evening, and outrebounded the Pioneers, 39-28.
Will Vorhees, who had missed the last four games due to injury, made his presence felt on the glass, as he contributed with 13 rebounds, including four on the offensive end.
Glenville State had the lead for most of the first half, which didn't involve many lead changes, but was very tight from the get go. Glenville State took a slight, 10-8 lead just six minutes in, during a stretch where both teams had a hard time making their shots. Notre Dame shot 30.0-percent (3-for-10) during that stretch while GSC shot 36.3-percent (4-for-11).
The Pioneers began an 8-2 run over the following three minutes of the contest, to take their largest lead of the game (18-10) with 10:58 left in the opening half. Notre Dame quickly battled back, scoring the next five points, and would remain well within striking distance for the rest of the half.
With 4:59 left in the opening half, Notre Dame trailed by five (27-22), and closed out the first half on fire, burying five of their final seven shots (71.4-percent), and outrebounded Glenville State 8-1 during that stretch as well. Notre Dame hadn't led at all, until
Tyree Gaiter hit a huge 3-pointer to beat the buzzer at the end of the first half to give the Falcons a 39-36 lead halfway through.
The momentum captured by NDC's big run over the final five minutes, which was capped by Gaiter's 3-pointer, carried into the second half. Over the first seven minutes of the half, Notre Dame shot very well, hitting on 50.0-percent (7-of-14) of their shots during that stretch, which was highlighted by an 8-0 run, giving the Falcons a 58-47 advantage.
Lawrence DeArmond led the charge during that run with three rebounds and four points.
Notre Dame was able to stay in the driver's seat the rest of the way, as they never trailed again. Glenville State was able to trim the lead to six on a few occasions, and they had a chance to draw closer inside the two-minute mark.
Down 70-64, Glenville State had a few fouls to give, but in committing those fouls, allowed the Falcons to take some valuable time off the clock. With the shot clock winding down, Gaiter worked his magic again, as he made a layup with 37 seconds remaining, to give the Falcons a 72-64 lead, essentially putting the game out of reach.
Vorhees turned in a double-double for NDC with 20 points and 13 rebounds. DeArmond was Notre Dame's leading scorer with 22 points to go along with seven rebounds and four assists. Gaiter finished the evening with 13 points and five assists, and
Kyauta Taylor added 11 points.
The Falcons are in action again on Thursday, Jan. 22, when they hit the road for another MEC tilt, as they square off against Urbana. The contest is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip.
