SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – On Saturday, Notre Dame College played on the home court for the first time this season. The Falcons used the energy of the home crowd to jump out to a 33-13 lead in the first 12 minutes of the game and NDC was able to withstand Wheeling University's comeback run, closing the game on an 11-6 run to win, 79-66.
 
Following the opening tipoff, Notre Dame's RJ Ogom made his presence felt. He was fouled on the first possession and went to the free throw line, making both shots, He then blocked a Wheeling shot, which led to a fastbreak layup by junior Andre Harris. NDC led, 4-0, in the first minute of the contest.
 
"I try to make energy plays and bring energy to the team," Ogom said. "I want to make plays to help the team win."
 
With 14:31 on the first half clock, junior Jevontae Jones blocked a shot and, on the other end, junior Gbolahan Adio lobbed a pass to sophomore Devin Haid for a dunk.
 
As a team, the Falcons blocked eight shots, which is the most by the team in a game since Nov. 10, 2017.
 
"We were active around the rim, which helped us get out in transition," said head coach Mark Richmond
 
Wheeling made a couple shots to close within a point, but the Falcons took off again and went on a 14-5 run. Haid worked his way to the hoop and made a layup as he was hit. A foul was called and he made the free throw to put Notre Dame ahead, 20-10, with 11:53 remaining in the first half.
 
But NDC did not stop there. After pushing the lead to 10, Notre Dame continued to pour it on with a 13-3 run and pushed the advantage to 20 points, 33-13, by the 8:14-mark. Junior Joshua Dames knocked down two three-pointers, while both freshman Cameron Johnson and Ogom hit a three during the run.
 
And then, as Richmond described, the ball began to stick and the Falcons were not able to knock down shots as they did in the first 12 minutes. Wheeling went on a 12-0 run and the NDC lead was cut to eight points, 33-25, with 4:40 to go before the half.
 
The Cardinals cut the deficit all the way to seven points, before the Falcons closed the half on a 5-0 run. At halftime, the Falcons led by 12, 43-31.
 
NDC shot 50-percent (16-for-32), from the field, through the first 20 minutes and 50-percent (6-for-12) from three. Wheeling was held to just 32-percent shooting from the field.
 
A 12-4 run moved WU within four points, 47-43, less than six minutes into the second stanza. Responding back right away, an 11-4 run put the Falcons back in front by 11, 58-47.
 
"We knew that it was going to be a game of runs," Ogom said. "They were going to come out and throw a punch and we just had to respond. We had to play how we know how to play and respond to anything."
 
"I thought we did a good job, coming out ready to play," Richmond mentioned. "In the first 12 minutes [of the game], we took [Wheeling] out of what they wanted to do, which forced some turnovers and quick shots that allowed us to run out and make some plays. We got up 20 and kind of relaxed and let them into the game. It was a dog fight in the first 10 minutes of the first and second halves and we were able to pull away."
 
From the 9:49-mark in the second half to the 7:23-mark, NDC went on a 10-1 run to push the lead to 17, 68-51. But, the Cardinals responded with a 9-0 run to cut NDC's lead down to just eight points with three minutes remaining.
 
With 33-seconds left, senior Trent Williams was at the free throw line. He made the first, but missed the second. Off the miss, the ball ricocheted to Ogom, who picked it up and slammed it down.
 
Ogom scored 13 points in the second half and finished with 20 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Haid, who had 10 points in the first half, ended the contest with 17. Harris added eight points and 12 rebounds.
 
The Falcons only made one three-pointer in the second half, but still shot 40-percent in the final 20 minutes. They held the Cardinals to 31-percent shooting from the field in the second half.
 
NDC will travel to West Liberty to play the No. 3 ranked Hilltoppers, on Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m.