NDC takes checkered flag
Falcons win in OT
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SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Notre Dame defeated the University of Northwestern Ohio Wednesday, 70-64, in overtime.  The Racers came back on the Falcons after NDC held a 14-point lead at halftime.

In the first half, Notre Dame (9-11, 3-0) jumped to a 14-4 lead by 13:28.  With the visiting Racers shooting just 27.6 percent (8-for-29), the Falcons extended that early lead to 32-18 by the half.  Sophomore center Karim McFarlane (Portmore, Jamaica) dominated at both ends of the floor for NDC. 

The Falcons’ second-year pivot man scored 14 points, pulled down seven rebounds, and blocked five Racer shots.  NDC’s Eric Maag (Fr/Columbus Grove, OH) knocked down three treys to add nine points for the Falcons. Head Coach Kevin Bille was pleased with his team's defense in the first:

"That may be as well as we've played defensively," said Bille. "We really got after it, and every man on the floor played hard."

After the intermission, Northwestern Ohio (7-15) gradually cut into the Falcon lead.  The Racers pulled to within eight when junior guard Jason Sarno (Elida, OH) hit a 3-pointer at 10:55.  The Racers then tied the game (46-46) four minutes later, at 6:46.

UNOH took a 56-53 lead on an eight-footer from the left baseline by Kyle Gillette (Fr/Loudonville, OH).  Senior point guard Jerome Pierce (Toldeo, OH) answered on the Falcons next possession with a three-ball to tie the game, 56-56, at 2:25.

After an UNOH basket, Pierce then dished to McFarlane on the left block for a two-handed slam, knotting the score at 58 with 1:35 on the clock.

The Falcons senior floor leader and all-time leading scorer then answered a Josh Vorst (So/Ottoville, OH) bucket with a jumper in traffic.  NDC forced a turnover and brought the ball up the court with 33 seconds remaining on the Murphy Gymnasium clock.  The Falcons’ Dan Jones (Jr/Niles, OH) had a reverse layup rim out at the buzzer, sending the game into overtime with a 60-60 score.

In the extra frame, NDC took a 66-62 lead by the one-minute mark.  Northwestern Ohio then scored a basket, but that was answered by a pair of McFarlane free throws at 0:33.  Junior guard Kyle Miller (Piketon, OH) then iced the game with two free throws.

Karim McFarlane led the Falcons with a personal season-high 24 points on a 10-of-16 shooting.  McFarlane also led NDC with 11 boards, seven of which came on the offensive glass.  He finished the game with five blocked shots.  The 24-point, 11-rebound game marks his seventh double-double of the season.

Kyle Miller added 15 points for the Blue & Gold.  Jerome Pierce struggled from the floor, shooting just 4-for-18.  He scored 10 and chipped in seven assists and three steals.  For the game, NDC shot 41.3 percent (26-for-63).  The Falcons knocked down 81.3 percent (13) of their 16 free throw attempts.

Northwestern Ohio shot 44.8 percent (26-for-58) on the night.  UNOH out-rebounded NDC, 37-34.  They committed 18 turnovers, to Notre Dame’s 11.

The Racers were led by Josh Vorst, who scored a game-high 25 points.  Three other UNOH starters finished in double figures.

Wednesday’s game marked the first overtime game of the season for Notre Dame.  NDC is now 4-2 over their last six overtime affairs.

The win for Notre Dame avenged a Dec. 4 loss at the hands of the Racers on their home floor in Lima.  It also extended what is now a four-game winning streak for the Falcons.

"Northwestern Ohio deserves a lot of credit," said Bille. "That's a good team - they're well-coached and they play hard. We've had two good games with them."

Notre Dame will look to extend their winning streak Saturday, when they host Washington & Jefferson (PA) in the finale of a four-game home stand.  The opening tip Saturday is scheduled for 2:00pm.