SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – The Concord University men's basketball team could not overcome a late seven-point deficit as it fell to Notre Dame 63-61 at Murphy Gymnasium in a Mountain East Conference contest Saturday afternoon.
The Mountain Lions (4-5, 2-2 MEC) took an early 14-8 lead as fifth-year senior guard
Matt Weir scored 10 of his career-best 27 points in the early stages to push CU out to the lead. The advantage held up for Concord held up until the 3:50 mark of the first half when NDC (6-1, 3-1 MEC) went ahead 22-21.
Back-to-back baskets from senior forward
Da'Vion Moore and fifth-year senior forward
Lual Daniel Rahama gave the Maroon and Gray a 25-24 edge, but it was the final lead of the first half as Concord trailed 31-28 at halftime.
Despite shooting 34.9 percent for the game, the Mountain Lions stayed within striking distance in the second half as the largest deficit it faced was the aforementioned seven-point margin with 3:49 left.
Still trailing by six 90 seconds later, Weir pumped in one of his seven three-pointers on the day to trim the deficit back to 58-55. Again trailing by five, CU turned to Weir who sunk another triple with 12 seconds remaining to cut the Notre Dame lead to 60-58.
After two Falcons' free throws, freshman guard
Darius Parham hit his own three-pointer to push CU to within one point. NDC made 1-of-2 foul shots, and a fight for the rebound on the second free throw took away the 2.8 seconds Concord had to get off a shot.
Besides Weir, Rahama was the only other CU player in double figures as he recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Parham came off the bench to supply eight points.
Weir's seven three-pointers are the most in an MEC game this season.
Junior guard
Jevon Laidler added seven points and a team-high 12 rebounds.
The Mountain Lions held a 47-35 advantage in rebounds and had 17 second-chance points thanks in part to 17 offensive rebounds.
Concord remains on the road for a 7:30 p.m. Wednesday contest at Fairmont State.
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