Westminster, MD- The Notre Dame of Maryland men's basketball played their inaugural men's basketball game, falling to McDaniel College 76-54 on Saturday, Nov. 11.
The Gators got off to a strong start, with K'Won Johnson scoring the team's first-ever points, drilling a 3-pointer. Jalen Yates put NDMU in front, connecting on another 3-pointer. Johnson ended a 6-0 Green Terror run by knocking down his second 3-pointer of the game. NDMU found an offensive rhythm near the 10-minute mark of the first half starting with a Jackson Pugh jump shot. Daraun Gray then knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers, giving NDMU a 22-15 lead. McDaniel answered back scoring seven-straight points to tie the game at 22. Gray added another jumper and Jayden Holland converted a pair of free throws to extend the advantage back to four with just over five minutes remaining in the half. The Green Terror once again responded, going on a 13-4 run to close out the half and lead 35-30 going into the break.
The Gators traded baskets early in the second half, with buckets from Clarence Obiajulu and Pugh keeping the team within four points. McDaniel began to pull away from the Gators, running off a 10-2 run, to build a 12-point advantage. NDMU tried to climb back into the game, but they struggled from beyond the arc, going 1-13 in the second half, allowing McDaniel to build a 24-point lead. The Gators fell by a score of 76-54.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
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Johnson led the Gators in scoring, racking up 18 points by hitting four 3-pointers
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Pugh reached double figures, scoring 10 points
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Holland had a solid outing, finishing the game with eight points and a team high five rebounds
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McDaniel was led by Jonas Sujeta who scored 17 points
WHO'S NEXT?
The Gators will take part in the Stevenson Tip-Off Tournament where they will battle Immaculata University on Friday, Nov. 17. The tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with NDMU Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using the handle @ndmgatorsports.
