CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Both teams shot the ball at 50-percent, or higher, from the field in the first half and junior Jaedon Willis had 14 points for Notre Dame College. The University of Charleston improved its shooting percentage in the second half, which included seven three pointers, and snuck past the Falcons, 85-78, on Wednesday evening.

Charleston put the first six points on the scoreboard with three layups, but NDC began its comeback. Junior Sam Jackson knocked down a wide open three pointer and then, following a triple by UC's Isaiah Gable, Notre Dame put together a 6-0 run to tie the game at nine, with 15:32 to go before halftime. Willis and freshman John Godinez hit jumpers and then junior Michael Sampson grabbed a rebound and went coast-to-coast for a layup to cap the run.

Willis (14 points, 6-of-7 from the field) and Sampson (seven points, 3-of-4 shooting) combined for 21 first half points and shot the ball at 82-percent.

The Falcons did not go away, and they would break through to take the lead with just under 14 minutes remaining in the half. Junior Daylin Lee was the catalyst as he split a pair of free throws, grabbed a rebound after a Charleston missed shot and then made a tough layup to give NDC the 14-12 lead.

UC's Shaunn Monroe then went on a personal 5-0 run with a three and a layup, and a steal on the defensive end, to put the Golden Eagles in front, 17-14.

The Falcons still trailed 19-16 about a minute later, but Willis knocked down back-to-back shots from long range before Sampson stole the ball and dunked it on the other end. Notre Dame took a 24-21 advantage with 9:23 to go.

The lead would change hands eight times between the 7:27-mark and the 3:03-mark of the first half. Freshman Gbolahan Adio was fouled on a layup attempt. He made the layup and the free throw to put the Falcons in front and NDC would hold that lead through the final three minutes of the first stanza.

The ball found Lee for the final shot of the half. He drove to the basket and scored on a layup with a few second left to give NDC a 40-36 halftime lead. 

Lee finished the first half with seven points off the bench. He would total a season-high nine rebounds in the game.

Immediately following the halftime break, Godinez was fouled on his way to the basket. He sank two free throws and the Falcons' lead expanded to six points (42-36). But, Charleston locked down on the defensive side; they caused a couple turnovers and put together a 7-0 run to grab a 43-42 lead at the 18:21-mark.

NDC took a timeout and went back to work. The Falcons put together a 5-0 run but Charleston answered with four consecutive points of their own. After that run, UC went cold shooting the ball and turned the ball over. Notre Dame took advantage. Willis scored again, Godinez knocked down a three and junior Tyland Crawford scored from close range. With 14:46 left, NDC had its largest lead of the game at seven points (54-47).

Willis scored 10 points in the second half, making all five of his free throws. He finished the game with 24 points. Godinez went 3-for-3 from the field and had nine second half points.

The three-point ball became an important tool for Charleston in its comeback effort. The Golden Eagles made three consecutive triples to tie the game at 56 with 13:26 remaining.

A layup and a successful free throw on an old-fashioned three-point play for Crawford tied the game at 59, but Charleston would start a 10-4 run and led 69-63 with 9:19 on the clock.

With just under two minutes to play, the Falcons attempted one last comeback. Willis was fouled behind the three point line and connected on all three free throws. Lee was fouled on the next possession and sank both free throws to pull NDC within two points (80-78). But that would be as close as they could get.

Notre Dame finished the game shooting 51-percent from the field, after going 16-for-28 (57-percent) in the first stanza. They also went 16-for-19 (84-percent) at the free throw line.

The Falcons come home to play West Virginia State University on Feb. 19. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.