SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – After falling down early, Notre Dame College put together several impressive runs to stay within striking distance of the University of Charleston. The Golden Eagles were able to hold on and win 73-64, on Saturday evening.

Charleston, who came into the game receiving votes in the NABC Division II top 25 poll, grabbed the advantage at the beginning of the game, and after Notre Dame tied the contest at three with 18:42 on the clock, began to build a lead.

A three pointer by UC's Jeremiah Keene put the Golden Eagles in the lead by eight points (20-12) with just under 10 minutes to go before halftime. Notre Dame quickly put together their first big run of the game. Following a technical foul on Charleston, junior Jaedon Willis knocked down two free throws. On the next possession, Willis found freshman DeAirius Barker for a three to close the gap to three points (20-17).

After turnovers by both teams, Willis knocked down a shot from long range and Barker was credited with the assist. That shot tied the game at 20 with 8:12 remaining in the first half.

The Falcons took advantage of UC's turnovers all night as they had 12 points off Charleston's 12 turnovers.

Charleston went on a run to end the half and entered the halftime break leading, 35-23.

The Golden Eagles would push their lead to 15 points early in the second half, but NDC put together another run. Down 14 points, Willis converted a layup, junior Tyland Crawford stole the ball and Barker scored and then Willis hit a three pointer to pull NDC within seven (48-41).

Willis had 10 points in the second half and finished with a team-high 21 points.

The Falcons were not done, as they took advantage of UC's missed shots from the field and missed free throws. Willis knocked down a three, Barker hit another shot and then junior Michael Sampson stole the ball and put two more points on the board on a fastbreak. With 10:08 remaining, NDC trailed by just three points (51-48).

Later in the contest, Notre Dame made one more 5-0 run to cut the deficit to four points. With 5:15 on the clock, junior Michael Kirkland knocked down a three and Willis hit two free throws to make the score 63-59 in favor of Charleston with under five minutes to go. But that would be as close as they could get.

"We were in a rhythm offensively, we just couldn't get over the hump with our defense down the stretch there," said head coach Mark Richmond. "I thought [Charleston] did a good job taking advantage with their size… [Charleston's Lamont McManus] is different from anyone we're going to see all year. He's unique and talented and a lot to handle."

McManus led UC with 20 points. Charleston had 36 points in the paint.

For Notre Dame, Sampson had 13 points, on 5-of-7 shooting, and six rebounds. Barker made his first career start and scored 11 points to go along with six rebounds and a team-leading four assists.

"Obviously, we didn't play well enough to win," Richmond mentioned. "To beat that team, you have to play a complete game. Over the last three games, we haven't been able to put a full 40 minutes together. We've been able to play pretty well in waves, but we hit a lull."

The Falcons will host Wheeling University on Jan. 19, with a tipoff time of 7:30 p.m.