WISE, Va. – Notre Dame College and the University of Virginia's College at Wise were locked in a tight battle throughout most of the game, on Monday night. After the lead changed hands several times in the second half, NDC was able to grab the lead for good with a 23-13 run in the final five and-a-half minutes of the game, to win, 97-86.

"UVa-Wise is a really good team and this was a good team win for us," head coach Tim Koenig said. "We played 11 guys and we needed everyone. I'm really proud."

Notre Dame (4-1, 2-0 MEC) jumped out to fast start with a three pointer by sophomore Halil Parks and then a layup by senior Will Vorhees. UVa-Wise (3-2, 1-1 MEC) marched back with a 12-6 run and took the lead after Cameron Whiteside split a pair of free throws.

For the next ten minutes, the biggest lead either team could take was four points, held by Virginia-Wise after Michal Seals knocked down a three pointer to put the Cavaliers on top, 26-22.

Beginning at the 4:32-mark in the first half, Vorhees went on a 6-2 run by himself, and he put the Falcons up by five points, 39-34. And with 1:40 remaining, Vorhees hit two free throws to give his team their largest lead of the half, 42-35.

The Falcons went into halftime leading 44-39. Vorhees had 17 points in the first half for NDC, with seven free throws made. Parks hit three, three pointers. Seals also made three, three point shots for the Cavaliers.

UVa-Wise retook the lead less than five minutes into the second half. After falling behind by six, the Cavaliers had three consecutive three pointers go in from Chance Sheffey, Briggs Parris and Sheffey, again. They led 52-51 with 15:37 remaining in the contest.

After that point, the battle was on as the two teams played close. The game saw six lead changes over the next five and-a-half minutes.

The three point ball came in handy for both teams. With 9:09 remaining, the Falcons went behind by three points, but then Parks made a jumper and junior Drew Scarberry gave the Falcons the lead with a three.

From the 5:04-mark to the 4:20-mark, Scarberry made back-to-back three pointers and the Falcons pushed the lead to five, 80-75.

From there, the baton was handed to freshman Larenz Thurman. Thurman would score 14 points for NDC in the final four minute of action, including nine made free throws.

Koenig spoke about Thurman being back on the floor for the past two games and how he has come through when NDC needs a big play.

"Football coaches say a good quarterback can get in the huddle and everyone gets more confident. When Larenz is on the floor, everyone gets confident," he said. "The players and coaches believe in him. He's a floor general and a leader."

Thurman had 21 points and five assists in the second half while Scarberry knocked down three triples. The Falcons shot 52-percent, from the field, and 46-percent from three point range in the second stanza.

Vorhees finished with 28 points, on 53-percent shooting, and 10 rebounds. Thurman ended the game with 27 points, eight assists and three steals. Both Vorhees and Thurman knocked down 10 free throws. Parks had 15 points and Scarberry added 13, but both players connected on four three pointers. NDC ended the game shooting 50-percent, overall. They also went 26-for-33 (79-percent) from the free throw line.

"Today was a good day and we went 1-0," Koenig said. "This was a really good team win, but, we have a long way to go. We need to get better individually and as a group. We're young and we're taking baby steps but you can see all of the work come through that these guys are putting in, in and out of practice."

Virginia-Wise was led in scoring by Whiteside, who had 19 points on 62-percent shooting. Parris made five three pointers and had 16 points, while Seals added 15 points and eight assists. The Cavaliers were hurt by their free throw shooting, especially in the second half when they went 3-for-8 and the team finished 11-for-25 (44-percent).

Notre Dame will play at Carlow University on November 21. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.