If you decided to leave the Voller Athletic Center early Thursday night you missed an amazing finish. Down seven points with 34 seconds remaining the Raiders came storming back to defeat Notre Dame 84-77 in overtime.
The first half was uneventful. Following a
Jordan Heath layup the Raiders held their largest lead, a five point cusion with 2:07 to play before intermission. Roberts went into the break up two, 34-32.
Dan Foley and Will Kemp-Harris each contributed nine first half points to pace the Raiders. Eric Dummermuth scored 15 of Notre Dame's 32 points for the Falcons including going 3-3 from behind the three point line. The half was evenly contested. Each team had 15 rebounds, committed 6 fouls, and were separated by one assist, one turnover, and two points.
The first fifteen minutes of the second half was eerily similar to the first. Neither team had more than a four point lead. A
Brent Owens put back at the 5:07 mark of the second half cut Notre Dame's lead to 53-52. From there it got ugly for the Raiders. Notre Dame went on a 12-5 run and with 51 seconds left in regulation the Falcons held 64-56 lead. When Curtis McClure hit the first of two free throws with 34 seconds left for a seven point Notre Dame lead the game looked all but sealed for the Falcons. McClure missed his second free throw and the game began to turn.
Dan Foley was fouled and sank both free throws. Notre Dame's Taylor Rieger was fouled and made one of two free throws to put Notre Dame up by six points.
Alif Bland responded with a jumper in the paint and the deficit was four, 66-62. After a Raider time out, Dummermuth hit one of two free throws for a 67-62 Notre Dame lead. With nine seconds to play Bland missed a layup but Kemp-Harris was there for the put back and was fouled. Kemp-Harris missed the free throw but Bland returned the favor. With only six seconds remaining, Bland rebounded the miss, scored on the follow up shot, and was fouled. A 50% free throw shooter, Bland finished the three point play and the Raiders had come all the way back to tie the game at 67. Notre Dame had a chance to win it in regulation but Heath blocked a short jumper by McClure and Phil Biggs missed an 18 footer to send the game into overtime.
Roberts scored first and often in overtime outscoring the Falcons 17-10. Free throws were huge down the stretch. Roberts went 25-32 from the free throw line while Notre Dame finished 16 for 32 from behind the charity stripe. Final score, Roberts Wesleyan 84, Notre Dame 77.
Roberts had four players in double figures. Will Kemp-Harris led the way with 18 points on 6-7 shooting and 6-8 from the free throw line.
Alif Bland had 17 points and 5 blocks.
Dan Foley had 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Jordan Heath had 14 points and 9 boards.
Rashaad Stokelin had 8 points and 5 assists while
Brent Owens scored 5 points and pulled down 9 rebounds.
Justin Andreozzi was once again strong defensively.
Notre Dame was led by Eric Dummermuth who had 26 points and 11 rebounds. Taylor Rieger scored 23 points and Curtis McClure finished with 15 points and 11 boards.
The Raiders are now 12-11 on the year and 6-6 in the American Mideast Conference. They head to Columbus today to take on nationally ranked Cedarville on Saturday.
