SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Notre Dame College led by as many as nine in the first half, but Roberts Wesleyan College shot 44-percent from three point range in the second half to expand their lead after halftime and defeat NDC by a score of 83-67, on Tuesday evening.

Early in the contest, both teams struggled to put the ball in the hoop. The two teams missed a combined 12 shots in the first four minutes of action, and both made one basket.

After the 16-minute mark, the tempo started to increase. After Michael Bush knocked down a three pointer and Peyton McLaurin hit a layup, putting RWC (2-1) on top, 9-4, the Falcons went on a run. NDC (2-1) put together a 14-2 offensive outburst with the help of three, three pointers, and a completed three point play at the free throw line. NDC led 18-11 with 10:05 remaining in the first half.

The Falcons did not stop there as senior Will Vorhees hit a three with just under nine minutes to go, getting the crowd fired up and giving Notre Dame momentum.

However, Roberts Wesleyan found a way to bounce right back into the ballgame. Reggie Clark immediately hit a deep three pointer on the other end and that was the beginning of a 13-2 run that put the Redhawks ahead, 27-25, at the 5:03-mark.

A three pointer by Hamish Warden gave NDC the lead back quickly, but RWC put 10 of the final 13 first half points on the scoreboard. The Redhawks led, 37-31, at the halftime break.

Neither team shot better than 36-percent from the field in the half. Clark led everyone with 15 points and four made three pointers. Vorhees led the Falcons with eight points and seven rebounds.

Roberts Wesleyan jumped out of the locker room and started the second half on an 11-5 run, including three consecutive three pointers. The Redhawks led, 48-36 with 16:46 remaining.

NDC would cut the lead to seven with back-to-back buckets. Sophomore Halil Parks made a layup and freshman Isaiah Sanders made a shot from long distance. However, the Falcons would not get any closer the rest of the way.

Head coach Tim Koenig spoke about what changed late in the first half and into the second half.

"Guarding the ball, keeping it out of the paint, finishing possessions, getting defensive rebounds, loose basketballs," he said. "They were the first to the floor, they got loose balls, they outrebounded us. We gave up 19 offensive rebounds, we were outrebounded in the game by 11. It's very hard to win that way."

Parks scored all 11 of his points in the second half. He also had two steals. Vorhees, again, led the way with 20 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks. Sanders added 14 points, on 5-of-6 shooting, and grabbed six offensive rebounds. The Falcons started two freshmen, Hamish Warden and Jacob Sala to try to fill the gap with senior Angelo Cugini on the sideline tonight. After the game, Koenig said the team needs to step up when injuries occur.

"Of course Angelo is a key piece to the puzzle, he is a captain," he mentioned. "But, it happens and that's why we have a team, we have depth. We need guys to step up and perform. Cugini is a leader and gives us physicality and toughness, we definitely missed that. But it's a long season and we need everyone on our roster, to be as successful as we want to be."

The Redhawks were led by Clark, who had 25 points, and shot 7-for-7 off the bench. Michael Bush added 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.

NDC will travel to Concord University for their first conference matchup on November 17. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.