FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Notre Dame College's three-game winning streak comes to an end on Saturday afternoon, as Fairmont State University shoots 56-percent from the field and wins by a score of 97-86.

The matchup featured FSU, who was tied for first in the conference and NDC, who came into the game in third, one game behind Fairmont State.

The teams came out ready to play on both ends of the floor. One sequence in particular, which began at the 17-minute mark, started with a block by Fairmont State's Jason Jolly on one end followed by a block by redshirt-senior Will Vorhees on a layup on the other end, for NDC. The Vorhees block led to a layup by junior Bruce Hodges III.

A minute later, after a missed three pointer and a missed layup, Vorhees tipped the ball in to give the Falcons (11-5, 7-3 MEC) a 9-7 advantage with 15:25 to go before halftime.

However, Fairmont State (12-4, 9-1 MEC) started to knock down threes to retake the lead. After Cole Von Handorf connected on back-to-back threes, FSU led 13-9.

With 10 and-a-half minutes to go, FSU extended their lead to nine points, 23-14, after a three by Kenzie Melko, which capped a 10-5 run. However, Notre Dame did not lose touch with the home team as they knocked down four consecutive shots.

At halftime, Fairmont State led, 50-40. Notre Dame was shooting 50-percent but FSU shot 58-percent, as well as, 65-percent from three point range. Hodges added 13 points and five rebounds for NDC while Jolly and Melko had three, three pointers in the first 20 minutes.

Fairmont State jumped out to a 16-point lead, 60-44, less than five minutes into the second stanza. Not to be overlooked was the effort by junior Larenz Thurman in the first seven minutes and two seconds of the second half. Thurman either scored or assisted on the first 17 points that Notre Dame put on the scoreboard to begin the second half. His scoring binge including three, three pointers and four made free throws.

After a free throw by Thurman with 9:49 remaining, the Falcons pulled within five points, 69-64. In the final 20 minutes, nearly every time Notre Dame cut into the deficit, FSU found a way to go on a run. They led by double-digits for nearly the entire eight and-a-half minutes that remained on the clock.

For the second game in a row, Thurman scored over 20 points and made six three pointers in the second half. He finished tonight's game with 31 points and five assists on 63-percent shooting.

Vorhees had 16 points and nine rebounds, which included six offensive rebounds. Hodges added 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals before fouling out. Scarberry came off the bench and scored 14 points. NDC had 20 points off of 10 Fairmont State turnovers.

All starters scored in double-digits for Fairmont State. Jolly and Melko each made six three pointers and scored 27 and 24 points, respectively. Vonte Montgomery added 16 points and 10 rebounds, including six offensive boards. The team shot 56-percent overall, and 52-percent from three point range.

The Falcons will host Wheeling Jesuit University on January 23. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.