ATHENS, W.Va. – Notre Dame College fell behind early in Saturday's contest against Concord University, but fought back throughout the game. DeAirius Barker scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half and NDC cut the deficit to two, but ultimately fell to the Mountain Lions, 85-80.
 
After the opening tip, Notre Dame struggled to get on a roll offensively. Concord connected on six of its first eight shots from the field, along with three free throws. With 16:12 remaining in the first half, CU was leading 17-5.
 
Sophomore Andre Harris was fouled and knocked down a pair of free throws to get NDC on the board. Then, the three-ball started to fall for the Falcons as seniors Daylin Lee and Jaedon Willis each hit one.
 
The Falcons put together a 10-2 run, in less than three minutes of game time, as they took advantage of Concord's shooting difficulties. Willis drove in for a layup and hit a three-pointer on the next possession. Harris then pushed the ball forward for a layup and Lee knocked down his second three of the first half to make the score, 19-17, in favor of Concord.
 
Over the next 10 minutes, Notre Dame would remain close and did not allow the Mountain Lions to extend the lead over six points.
 
Notre Dame put another run together, with some hustle plays and made shots. Willis stole the ball and found junior Kalil Camara on the wing, open for a three. Camara hit the shot and, after a made Concord basket, Willis went back to the hoop for a layup. Concord turned the ball over and Barker would miss a shot, get his own rebound and put it back up and in to tie the game at 33, with 3:55 to go in the half.
 
Both teams had chances to either extend the lead or tie the game in the final minute of the half, but the final points were scored with 1:36 on the clock and Concord went to the locker room leading, 39-37.
 
Despite shooting the ball at just 35-percent in the first half, NDC was a three-pointer away from taking the lead when the second half began. However, Concord was hot to start the second half and put up the first seven points.
 
Notre Dame responded again. Sophomore Jamarr Talbert Jr. drew a charge on one end and then caught a pass from Willis on the offensive side and knocked down a triple. Barker stole the ball and found Talbert, who made the fastbreak layup. Another Concord miss led to a jumper by Willis to draw NDC within two, 46-44, with 15:54 to go in regulation.
 
CU extended the lead to as many as 12 points the rest of the way.
 
Barker helped to keep NDC within striking distance as he put three points on the scoreboard and pulled NDC within four points, 77-73, with 2:24 remaining. But that would be as close as Notre Dame would get.
 
Barker hauled in a team-high seven rebounds to go along with his 17 points, which also led the team. He dished out three assists, as well. Lee scored 14 points and knocked down a season-high eight free throws. The Falcons shot 45-percent from the field in the second half.
 
Notre Dame will get back on the road, Wednesday, Dec. 7, when they battle Davis & Elkins College. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.