Box Score
BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – The Notre Dame Falcons allowed 57 points in the second half and suffered their worst loss of the season, 99-72, on the road against the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats on Thursday evening.
The Falcons (13-6, 7-6 MEC) have now lost four of their last five games, after putting together a nine-game winning streak. The Bobcats (9-10, 6-7 MEC) bounce back after a loss to Fairmont State and have now won four of their last five contests. The season series is even between these two teams, as they both won their home matchup.
In the first four minutes of the game, West Virginia Wesleyan and Notre Dame went back and forth with the lead changing three times and the teams tying the score, twice.
However, after an
Oliver Megins layup cut the Bobcats lead to four points, 20-16, with 11:20 left in the half, the Bobcats put together a big run. For over four minutes, WVWC went on an 11-2 run to take a 31-17 lead. The Falcons had seven missed shots and two turnovers over that span of time.
At the half, NDC trailed the Bobcats, 42-30. The Falcons shot 12-for-38 (32-percent) from the field in the first half. West Virginia Wesleyan shot 16-for-29 (55-percent) from the field and outrebounded Notre Dame, 22-18 in the first half.
Notre Dame and WVWC traded baskets early in the second half and the Falcons were able to cut the deficit to 11 point, 47-36 with 18:13 to go as
Kobie Johnson hit a three-pointer.
That would be as close as NDC would get, as Wesleyan would go on a quick 8-4 burst to take a 55-40 advantage at the 15:35-mark in the second half.
Notre Dame was able to reduce the Bobcats' lead to 11 points one more time when
Kyauta Taylor nailed a three with 11:09 remaining to make the score, 65-54.
West Virginia Wesleyan would hit six threes and go on a 34-18 run in the final 11 minutes of the contest and put the Falcons away by 27 points.
For the Falcons,
Will Vorhees had 22 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Taylor added 14 points and
Drew Scarberry gave Notre Dame 19 points off of the bench, including five, three-point baskets. Notre Dame shot 39-percent from the field and 35-percent from behind the three-point line.
For the Bobcats, Mo Berchie had 25 points and added eight rebounds, Luke Layhew earned a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards. Kevin Kangni gave Wesleyan 24 points and Clay Todd added 11 points off of the bench. The Bobcats held a 60-percent, field goal percentage, as a team, and shot 15-for 28 (57-percent) from three-point territory.
The Falcons will look to get back on track as they remain on the road and travel to Glenville, West Virginia to battle the Glenville State Pioneers on Saturday, Jan. 28. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
