WHEELING, W.Va. – Notre Dame College comes home after a hard-earned 76-75 victory over Wheeling University, in the Falcons' final road game of the season. Five players scored in double-digits for NDC, on Saturday afternoon.

After a slow start offensively for both teams in the first five minutes, NDC pushed their lead to nine points, 18-9, with a 9-4 run. Junior Michael Sampson scored six points during that scoring burst.

Wheeling closed within three points, but an 11-4 run put Notre Dame ahead by 10, 33-23, with 3:45 on the clock. And that swing of points and momentum would summarize the entire game, although the Falcons never trailed.

WU's Jordan Reid scored six points in the final four minutes of the first half, as the Cardinals put the next eight points on the scoreboard. At halftime, Notre Dame's lead was down to two points, 35-33. The Falcons shot 48.5-percent from the field and Sampson led the team with 12 points and eight rebounds at the break.

A three pointer by junior Tyland Crawford capped a 10-2 run by NDC to start the second half. The Falcons were back on top by 10 points, 45-35. The Notre Dame lead did not shrink below five points for the first 10 minutes of the second stanza.

A made free throw and a three pointer by Wheeling's Jay Gentry pulled the Cardinals within three points, 56-53, with 9:10 to go. The game remained close for the final nine minutes, and with 1:21 on the clock, a pair of Wheeling free throws made the score 74-73, in favor of NDC.

Junior Elijah Barnett, who scored 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting off the bench, connected on a clutch turnaround jumper in the paint to put the Falcons up by three points, 75-73.

Reid hit another layup for Wheeling to get within one, and the Cardinals got the ball back, but could not score on their final possession.

"Really proud of our guys," said head coach Mark Richmond. "We played like we were desperate for a win today. We've been in close games several times on the road this year and didn't get the outcome we wanted. Today, we found a way to win."

Sampson set season-highs with 19 points and six offensive rebounds. He shot 69-percent from the field and recorded a double-double with 14 rebounds. Junior Jordan Roland finished the game with 15 points, on 60-percent shooting. Barnett gave the Falcons nine points in the second half.

"I was really happy with Mike [Sampson] and Elijah [Barnett]," Richmond said. "They finished some tough baskets around the rim. They did a nice job being on balance and they were patient which allowed them to get good angles."

As a team, NDC shot 49-percent from the field and set a season-high with an 86.7-percent free throw percentage.

Notre Dame will play the final three games of the season at home. Their week begins with a 6 p.m. start against Fairmont State University, on Monday.