Pugh vs UVF
69
Winner Notre Dame (MD) NDMU 1-8,1-3 United East
60
Valley Forge VF 1-11,1-4 United East
Winner
Notre Dame (MD) NDMU
1-8,1-3 United East
69
Final
60
Valley Forge VF
1-11,1-4 United East
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Notre Dame (MD) NDMU 37 32 69
Valley Forge VF 30 30 60

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Seth Goodyear

Men's Basketball Earns Historic First Victory

Phoenixville, Pa. - The Notre Dame of Maryland men's basketball team earned a historic first victory, defeating the University of Valley Forge by a score of 69-60 on Saturday, Dec. 9.  

The Gators started quickly with Jahbreco Dacosta powering in a pair of layups to take an early 4-0 lead. After Jermaine Koger Jr. converted a layup, he came away with a steal finding Daraun Gray in transition for an easy layup giving the Gators an 8-2 lead. Later in the quarter, Gray drilled a 3-pointer, making the score 13-6. UVF answered with a 7-2 run that brought the Patriots within two points. Jalen Yates and Gray halted the rally, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to stretch the lead back to eight. The Patriots fought back, going on an 8-0 run to tie the game at 21 with 7:53 remaining in the half. Gray put the Gators back in front with a deep 3-pointer. Yates followed up with a 3-pointer of his own making the score 27-21. Later in the half, Jackson Pugh hit a 3-pointer to keep the lead at nine. Yates hit one more 3-pointer in the half, pushing NDMU's advantage to 12. The Patriots scored the final five points of the half, but NDMU led 37-30 at the break.  

Cole Matthews heated up early in the second half, finishing a contested layup and hitting a deep 3-pointer to give the Gators a nine-point lead. Yates continued his hot shooting, drilling back-to-back 3-pointers to push their lead to 13 points. Pugh came away with a steal and score, making the score 50-35. The Patriots tried to close the gap, but Matthews hit another 3-pointer with 9:01 remaining in the game. UVF tried to climb back into the game, hitting several 3-pointers to close back within five with 1:45 remaining in the game. The Gators would go to the foul line with a chance to put the game away in the final minutes, with Pugh going 4-4 at the free throw line to put the game out of reach. NDMU secured the historic 69-60 victory.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

  • Yates led the way, scoring 17 points, hitting on five 3-pointers in the game. Yates also gathered in nine rebounds.  

  • Pugh finished with 11 points, going 6-6 at the free throw line. He also dished out six assists.  

  • Gray scored 11 points, connecting three times from beyond the arc.  

  • Matthews and Decosta each scored eight key points. 

  • Koger Jr. pulled in a team-high 11 rebounds while scoring six points.  

  • NDMU won the battle on the glass, holding a 41-29 edge in rebounds. 

  • Valley Forge was led by Dashawn Goodine who scored 14 points.   

WHO'S NEXT? 
The Gators will pause for finals week before facing Goucher College in their final contest of 2023 on Saturday, Dec. 16. The tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 PM.  

STAY CONNECTED 
Fans can keep up with NDMU Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using the handle @ndmgatorsports. 

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