Return engagement
Pierce nets 34 in Falcons' return to the nest

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Notre Dame defeated Roberts Wesleyan (NY) Wednesday, 83-60, for their second straight victory. Senior point guard Jerome Pierce (Toledo, OH) notched a season-high 34 points to lead the Falcons to their second win in as many conference games.

Notre Dame (7-11, 2-0) got out of the gate early against the Raiders in the American Mideast Conference (AMC) tilt. The Falcons jumped to a 20-8 lead by 13:52 in the first. Notre Dame shot a blistering 63.6 percent (21-for-33) in the opening frame. By the midway point of the half, the Falcons had built a 31-14 lead. Pierce scorched the Raiders for 24 in the first, and the Falcons held RWC to a 34.3 percent (12-for-35) mark from the field.

Notre Dame took a 50-27 lead into the home locker room after 20 minutes. 

In the second half, the Raiders (5-12, 0-1) and Falcons traded baskets for much of the way, and NDC coasted to their largest margin of victory since Dec. 1 (109-84 win over Rio Grande). Roberts and Notre Dame each scored 33 in the second half.

Pierce finished with 34 points on 12-of-17 shooting. The Falcons’ leading scorer tied a season-high with eight 3-pointers on the night.

Sophomore center Karim McFarlane (Portmore, Jamaica) posted a double-double, his sixth of the season, with 13 points and 11 rebounds. McFarlane also blocked five shots. Junior guard Kyle Miller (Piketon, OH) added 12 points.

For the game, Notre Dame shot 56.9 percent (33-for-58) from the field, out-shooting Roberts, which shot 33.8 percent (12-for-35). The Falcons out-rebounded the Raiders, 41-33.

Freshman center Alif Bland (Albany, NY)led Roberts with 18 points and eight rebounds.

The game between the Falcons and Raiders was taped for broadcast by SportsTime Ohio, which will air the game Thursday at 10:30pm. Three more NDC Men's games will also be aired on STO.

Wednesday’s result vaults NDC to 2-0 in AMC North Division play.

Wednesday's game at Murphy Gymnasium marked a return to College Road for the Falcons, whose previous six games were on the road. NDC's last home game before Wednesday's tilt against RWC was Dec. 15. Notre Dame's home game against Roberts marks the opening of a four-game home stand.

The Blue & Gold continue that home stand on Saturday, Jan. 19, when they host Houghton College (NY) in AMC-North play. The men's game is slated for 4:00pm as the second half of a men’s-women’s doubleheader.