SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – After a long break for the holidays, Notre Dame College was ready to get back on the court. The Falcons did not show any rust as they scored 58 points in the first half, the most in any half this season, and shot 57-percent in the first 20 minutes. They defeated Frostburg State University by a score of 94-86, on Wednesday night.

Notre Dame jumped out to a 10-2 lead by the 16:44-mark in the first half. They took advantage of early trips to the free throw line, going 5-for-7 at the line during that run.

In what would be a theme throughout the game, Frostburg State cut the deficit down significantly before Notre Dame responded and increased its lead. In two minutes, Frostburg State cut the NDC lead down to one point (13-12) following a 7-1 run. Notre Dame's junior Jaedon Willis then knocked down a three pointer and junior Daylin Lee hit a layup to start NDC's run. Both shots were assisted by freshman DeAirius Barker. A 7-0 response run gave NDC a 20-12 lead.

Barker totaled a career-high six assists in the game.

"I was proud of our effort and proud of our preparation after an extended break," head coach Mark Richmond. "I thought we really competed this last week. It was time to play someone else. We got some really good practices for seven or eight days there to get back in shape. I was proud, especially in the first half, of how hard we played. It looked like we picked up where we left off in practice."

FSU would make it a three-point game (24-22) with 10:45 to go before halftime, following a three-point shot by Agyei Edwards. But the Bobcats would go cold, making one shot over the next three minutes. The Falcons took advantage and went 5-for-7 during that stretch, causing two turnovers, as well. NDC expanded their lead to 12 points (36-24) with 7:54 on the clock.

Lee hit a free throw to put NDC ahead by 15 points (56-41) with 1:16 to go in the first half and then freshman Jamarr Talbert Jr. scored with 11-seconds left to give NDC 58 points in the half.

The Falcons shot 57-percent (20-for-35) from the field and 60-percent (6-for-10) from long range in the first stanza. Nine Falcons took at least two shots in the first half and eight of them shot the ball at 50-percent, or better. NDC also brought down seven offensive rebounds and had 12 second chance points.

A three pointer by Willis with 18:06 remaining in the game gave NDC a 17-point lead (65-48), its largest lead of the contest.

Willis finished the game with 21 points, making three 3-pointers and all six of his free throws.

"We had a week and a half of good practices," Willis said. "We were just excited to play someone else. This is our home court and we shoot on it everyday, so we're confident when we come out and shoot. We finally had a good half of shooting, we feel like we could do that often. That really helped us win this game today."

Beginning at the 11:28-mark in the second half, FSU put together an 8-0 run and trailed by just six points (74-68). Barker knocked down a jump shot and a three pointer to increase Notre Dame's lead to double-digits (79-68), but the Bobcats did not go away.

NDC led by as many as 14 points (87-73), with less than five minutes to go. Frostburg State went on another scoring run and the Bobcats hit back-to-back threes during their 8-0 run as NDC missed three consecutive shots.

"I thought we did enough in the second half defensively to get the win," Richmond mentioned. "I was proud of how we guarded their plays, I thought we needed to do a better job guarding their players. Late in the game, they went away from running plays and it became a one-on-one game. Defensively, we guarded one-on-one. In that situation, we have to help each other and crowd the paint and fly around from inside, out. We let them get downhill at the rim a few times. We just need to maintain the defensive intensity."

The momentum was on the side of FSU with under two minutes remaining and NDC's lead was down to six points. The Falcons missed another shot, but junior Tyland Crawford grabbed an incredibly important offensive rebound to keep the possession alive for the Falcons. That led to a jumper by Willis and Notre Dame led 89-81 with 88 seconds remaining. For the rest of the game, Frostburg State could not get closer than seven points.

Junior Michael Sampson finished with 18 points, shooting 73-percent, and nine rebounds and Crawford grabbed a season-best 12 boards to go along eight points. Off the bench, Lee and Barker combined for 22 points and 10 rebounds. NDC finished the game shooting 52-percent from the field and 50-percent from three.

NDC will travel to No. 23 Fairmont State University on Jan. 8. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.