SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – "Holding a team to 62 points in our league is tough to do," head coach Mark Richmond said after the game. But Notre Dame College did just that on Wednesday, picking up a 72-62 victory over Wheeling University. NDC held the Cardinals to 38-percent shooting for the game.

With the contest tied at seven and 15:35 on the first half clock, sophomore Levi Frankland knocked down a three pointer and was fouled. He was successful on his free throw attempt, as well. One minute later, senior Daniel Lott connected on a three and pushed the Falcons lead to seven points, 14-7.

"We came out ready to play today," Frankland said. "We've got three big games coming up, so this is just the beginning."

After the Falcons went ahead 16-9, Wheeling made a comeback. An 11-3 run gave Wheeling a one-point advantage as they knocked down back-to-back threes around the 11-minute mark. During the run, Jordan Reid scored or assisted on eight of WU's 11 points.

"Our goal was to make them shoot on the perimeter," Richmond said. "Of course, they made them, early. But we told the guys to stay in there and contest those shots. We didn't think they could do that consistently."

Notre Dame called a timeout and regrouped. Senior Bruce Hodges III hit a layup and then Frankland made a layup following a Wheeling miss on the other end. Then, a little over a minute later, Hodges knocked down a three and the lead swelled to six points. The senior from Lima, Ohio came into the game with two made three pointers on the season and had two in the first half, tonight.

"It was nice to see one go down," Hodges said.

A 6-0 Notre Dame run took place over the final two minutes and two seconds of the first half and the Falcons owned all the momentum. They led Wheeling, 39-29, after 20 minutes and were out-rebounding the Cardinals 22-12, at the break.

"I thought we did a really good job rebounding in the first half, I thought that was the difference," Richmond said. "We made them miss and then we rebounded, giving them just one shot, so I thought that was what helped us get the lead."

For NDC in the first half, Hodges totaled 15 points, on 6-of-7 shooting and Frankland had 11 points, on 4-of-5 shooting. The Falcons shot 50-percent from the field and 50-percent from long range.

"[Wheeling] is a great defensive team," Scarberry said. "Something that we really focused on this week was moving the ball, getting people to cut. We might not have our main guys producing at a certain time, but someone else picks up the slack. That's all stuff that we've been working on in practice."

Notre Dame led the entire second half and the closest Wheeling could get was three points. Scarberry made a three to start the second half, expanding the NDC's lead to 13 points, 42-29. That would be their largest lead for much of the second half.

Wheeling made a few small runs throughout the second half. A 7-0 run brought the Cardinals within three points with 13:30 remaining in the game. And later, a 6-0 run pulled the visitors within four points, 59-55, with 5:53 to go. But Notre Dame responded to each of them and built their lead again.

"It's great to see [the defense stopping Wheeling's runs]," Scarberry said. "We don't have the most depth, so being able to switch up zones and man and coming out in different situations, and being able to execute, really helps us. Then we can go down and set up in our halfcourt offense or get some transition buckets."

NDC would lead by as many as 14, late in the game and won by 10 points, as both teams scored 33 second half points.

Scarberry took off in the second half for Notre Dame. He scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half. Frankland had 18 points, on 75-percent shooting, along with three steals. Hodges finished with 16 points and six rebounds. Senior Deanthony Owens totaled 11 rebounds and a season-high four blocks. Freshman Jordan Burton led the team with five assists.

"We had two guys who didn't have great shooting nights, but they still helped us win," Richmond mentioned. "Jordan Burton played every second and had one turnover. DeAnthony had 11 rebounds. Guys on the floor have to find a way to win and control what they can control."

NDC out-rebounded Wheeling, 37-36, and had eight more points in the paint than the Cardinals.

"We might not be the most talented team, but together, we can guard and gang rebound," Richmond said. "Hopefully we continue to do that going down the stretch here."

The Falcons will play Urbana University at home on January 25. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.