Storylines – vs. Notre Dame College
With just three conference wins under their belt so far this season, the Falcons of Notre Dame will attempt to earn their fourth conference victory on Saturday afternoon. Notre Dame (5-20, 3-16 MEC) has been outscored by opponents by a -11.3 margin this season, putting up 81.4 points per game. The Falcons are shooting 44.4 percent from the field and posting 36.8 rebounds per contest. Tim Koenig's team has been plagued by turnovers, committing 15.1 on average. Senior guard Kyauta Taylor leads the team in scoring and assists, netting 17.4 points on 41.1 percent shooting from the floor and 3.6 assists per game. Taylor also records the highest free throw percentage for the Falcons at 86.5 percent, connecting on 77-of-89 free throw attempts. Redshirt junior forward Angelo Cugini is the top rebounder for the team averaging 8.1 boards per contest. The Falcons will head home following Saturday's matchup to host No. 4 ranked West Liberty on Wednesday night and Urbana next Saturday.
About UVa-Wise
UVa-Wise (12-13, 10-9 MEC) will take the court against Notre Dame in hopes of earning the team's fifth-consecutive win. The Cavaliers narrowly edged the Falcons in the two teams last meeting as UVa-Wise earned a 102-101 double-overtime victory on the road. UVa-Wise continues to climb the conference standings as the Cavs earned their most recent win over Urbana on Thursday night, 85-77. The Cavs shot a strong 62.1 percent from the field in the first half to help propel Blake Mellinger's team over the Blue Knights. Redshirt senior forward Taiwo Badmus finished with a double-double of 24 points and a season-high 19 boards. Sophomore point guard Michal Seals also posted a double-double netting 22 points and dished out 10 assists along with six rebounds. Badmus leads the Cavs in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double of 21.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Saturday's matchup against Notre Dame will also recognize Senior Day as the Cavalier men's four seniors Ricardo Hill, Jr., Corey Dick, DeMarcus Edwards, and Badmus will be honored. The Cavs will face Charleston and Concord on the road following Saturday's contest before the team prepares for the conference tournament.
