FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Playing on back-to-back days in the Conference Challenge, Notre Dame College found themselves up against Millersville University, on Saturday. The Falcons opened up an early lead, but scored just 26 second half points as the Marauders shot 52-percent and beat NDC, 82-61.

Yesterday against Slippery Rock, the Falcons jumped out to an 8-0 lead to begin the contest. To start Saturday's game, senior Drew Scarberry knocked down a three, freshman Jordan Burton hit a jumper and then senior Larenz Thurman connected on a three pointer. The Falcons led 8-2 with 17:35 remining in the first half.

Millersville came roaring back, tying the game at eight as Mekhi Hendricks and Khari Williams combined to hit back-to-back three pointers. MU would take the lead and expand it to four, 12-8, in about one minute.

Burton knocked down a jumper for NDC and then, following a missed Millersville layup, Burton drove and made the layup to tie the game at 12. About a minute later, sophomore Levi Frankland stole the ball and made a layup on the other end. The Falcons held a 14-12 advantage with 13:34 to go in the first half.

On MU's next possession, James Sullivan hit a three, which was the beginning of a 7-0 run. With 12:14 to go in the first, the Falcons trailed 19-14. From that point, Millersville did not give the lead back to the Falcons.

With less than nine minutes remaining before halftime, Frankland and Burton both hit their layups to pull NDC within one point, 21-20, but they could not break through and take the lead. In fact, Notre Dame closed the deficit to one point on three separate occasions in the final eight minutes, as they did a good job of keeping the game close against a hot Millersville offense.

Despite Millersville's 52-percent field goal percentage, including 50-percent from behind the three point arc, they only led by six, 41-35, at halftime. Burton, playing in just his second collegiate game, had a career-high 14 points on 58-percent shooting at the break, for the Falcons.

Coming out of the locker room, Millersville went on a 10-2 run in the first five minutes, pulling ahead by 14 points, 51-37. During that run, the MU size not only helped in getting boards, but also disrupted NDC's offense around the basket, which included blocking two shots.

A three pointer by Thurman with 14:59 remaining in the game, brought the Falcons within 11 points, 51-40. But, Millersville responded with another run and grabbed a 58-40 lead. The tremendous shooting for MU continued down the stretch as they would lead 82-61 when the final horn sounded.

For the second consecutive night, Frankland led the squad with 18 points. Burton recorded 17 points, on 44-percent shooting, and five rebounds. Thurman added 12 points and four assists, while freshman Bryce Douglas scored nine points in his debut. NDC shot 37-percent from the field.

Four of the five Millersville starters scored in double-digits. Jaden Faulkner led the way with 30 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two blocks. He also shot 59-percent. Hendricks went 3-for-6 from the floor and 3-for-4 from long range, to finish with nine points. MU shot 52-percent and 36-percent from three. They also collected 44 rebounds.

Notre Dame has next week off before they host Edinboro University in their home opener, on November 18. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.