INSTITUTE, W.Va. – After falling behind by double-digits on Wednesday night, Notre Dame College used multiple runs in the second half to cut the gap to six points with 25-seconds remaining. However, West Virginia State University closed out the game with a block and a pair of free throws to win, 93-85.

The Falcons jumped out to an early lead and held a 9-8 lead at the first media timeout. After the teams came back to the floor, West Virginia State's Glen Abram took over.

Abram knocked down two three pointers before the timeout and then knocked down two more following the timeout. After missing his first shot of the game from long range, Abram hit the next five threes that he took. He finished the first half with 27 points.

"We're playing hard right now but we're not playing smart," said head coach Mark Richmond. "We spend hours scouting our opponent but we've yet to execute our game-plan. You have to give Abram credit for making some hard shots, but we allowed him to get going."

NDC went into the halftime break down by 14 points, 49-35. Sophomore Jordan Burton had 11 points for the Falcons and he went 7-for-7 at the free throw line. Junior Michael Sampson added nine points and six rebounds.

A personal 6-0 run by Augustus Stone put the Yellow Jackets on top by 20 points, 66-46, with 12:51 remaining in the contest. But that's when NDC slowly started to chip away at the deficit.

Junior Jordan Roland knocked down a three with 5:33 to go, which capped a 9-2 run and the Falcons trailed by just 10 points, 84-74.

The Falcons later closed the gap to single-digits for the first time in the second half. An 11-2 run over a three-minute span, moved NDC within six points, 91-85, with 25-seconds remaining. Junior Tyland Crawford scored six points during the run.

Notre Dame was able to pressure the Yellow Jackets and get a steal, but a block by WVSU's Anthony Pittman, along with two free throws, ended the game.

NDC shot 49-percent in the game and connected on seven three pointers, six in the second half, but Coach Richmond knows where they need to improve.

"Offensively, we had way too many turnovers in the half court," he said. "We did a solid job of breaking the press and attacking, but when we had to execute against their set defense we just threw them the ball. We have to pass the ball better and on time."

Roland scored all 17 of his points in the second half, going 7-for-13 in the final 20 minutes. The Falcons had five players score in double-digits, including freshman John Godinez, who had 12 points and shot 5-for-7 off the bench. Crawford led the team in scoring, with 18. NDC also outscored West Virginia State in the paint, 32-26.

The Falcons will turn their attention to the University of Charleston, who they host on January 16. The game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.