INSTITUTE, W.Va. - Despite falling behind early in the game against West Virginia State University on Saturday, Notre Dame College put together a comeback to close within two points, late in the first half. However, WVSU was able to stay in front with a solid shooting night and the Falcons fell, 86-78. For the second game in a row, Tyland Crawford scored 18 points for NDC, while Obinna Ugwuakazi added a career-high 17 points and 16 rebounds.

West Virginia State connected on its first three shots to grab a 7-0 lead before the Falcons found the bottom of the basket. On back-to-back possessions, senior Jaedon Willis knocked down a jumper and sophomore Jamarr Talbert Jr. connected on a three-pointer. Crawford, who led the team with 11 points in the first half, scored with 15:36 on the clock to tie the game at 12.

Willis knocked down a pair of free throws to tie the game at 14, but the Yellow Jackets answered back with another three. WVSU made six shots from long range in the first half.

Another run gave West Virginia State a 14-point lead (34-20) with 8:46 to go before halftime. However, the Falcons put together a run of their own to grab the momentum. Between the 7:36-mark and the 3:30-mark, NDC went on a 14-2 run and trailed by just two points, 36-34. During the run, Ugwuakazi scored four points and Willis knocked down a layup and a free throw for a three-point play. Crawford hit a three to cap the run.

At halftime, W.Va. State led 43-34. Along with his 11 points, on 5-of-6 shooting, Crawford also pulled down five rebounds in the first 20 minutes. Ugwuakazi added seven points and six rebounds in the first half and NDC outrebounded the Yellow Jackets, 21-14.

The Falcons fell behind by double-digits in the second half and trailed by as many as 22, with just under six minutes remaining. But, NDC began to put together another comeback.

Senior Daylin Lee pumped some energy into the Falcons when he knocked down a three and then came down on the next possession and hit a shot, was fouled, and hit the free throw. That started a 19-2 run for the Falcons, which closed the gap to five points, 81-76, with one minute to go. During the run, Lee added eight points and Ugwuakazi scored six points with four rebounds.

In the second half, Ugwuakazi had 10 points and 10 rebounds, including three offensive boards, for his second consecutive double-double. Lee had eight second half points and finished the game with 10 points and seven rebounds.

Willis finished with 12 points, but his streak of consecutive free throws made ended at 48.

NDC did have more second chance points (19-9) and points in the paint (38-34) than WVSU.

The Falcons will come back for their final home game of the season against No. 11 West Liberty University, on Feb. 22.