Box Score WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The Notre Dame Falcons began the 2015-16 season on Saturday night at the PSAC/MEC Crossover, with an 86-69 victory over California-Pa.
For the Falcons (1-0) the victory marks their fourth in their last five seasons in a season opener, while the loss for the Vulcans (0-1) marks their second in their last three years in a season opener.
Notre Dame used a dominant first half, where they outscored the Vulcans, 31-26, before they shot the lights out in the second half, hitting 55.9-percent (19-for-34) of their shots in the final 20 minutes of the game to maintain their lead. They also controlled the glass, outrebounding the Vulcans, 51-34.
Will Vorhees kick started an incredible 11-0 run for the Falcons over the first four minutes of the contest. Vorhees was responsible for the first seven points of the contest, while the NDC defense forced three Vulcan turnovers during that stretch.
Over the next seven minutes the Notre Dame lead grew to double digits after
Marco Colombo hit a jumper with 9:15 remaining to give the Falcons a 21-11 advantage.
Notre Dame led by double digits through the rest of the half, and their lead grew as large as 17 (36-19) after
Tyree Gaiter buried a 3-pointer with 1:10 left in the half.
Notre Dame's defense smothered the Vulcans in the opening half, as NDC led Cal Pa. to just a 22.2-percent (6-for-27) shooting clip in the first 20 minutes of the contest.
The Vulcans battled in the second half, but despite their best efforts, could not cool off NDC's sharp shooters. Cal Pa. eventually brought the deficit back down to single digits (69-60) with 6:01 to play, but they could not get any closer.
After getting back within nine, the Vulcans began fouling the Falcons, who were un-phased, hitting 7-of-8 free throws over the next three and a half minutes, while Vulcans had a hard time making their shots, and NDC 's lead built back up to 19 after a Gaiter jumper with two minutes left.
Gaiter and Vorhees led the way for the Falcons with 26 points, and four assists each. Gaiter added three steals, while Vorhees came away with eight rebounds. Columbo also reached double figures for the Falcons with 12 points and added seven rebounds.
The Falcons are in action again on Sunday, Nov. 15, when they finish play in the PSAC/MEC Crossover with a 4 p.m. tip off against Mercyhurst (Pa.) in West Liberty, W.Va.
