SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- Notre Dame (9-1) extended their winning streak to eight games while handing Mercyhurst (Pa.), their first loss in five contests, 73-66 on Thursday evening. (Box)

The Blue and White had 13 players see action with nine getting into the scoring column. The Falcon offense was led by senior center #Yvette Hunter# (14 points), junior guard #Taryn Wicks# (12 points) and senior forward #Kealy McNally# and sophomore guard #Alex Dackin# with 10 points apiece. Wicks who started the evening off slowly, exploded for 10 of her 12 points in the second half. Wicks last scored double figues (13) Nov. 26 against Spring Arbor (Mich.).

In a non league match played at Murphy Gymnasium in front of a raucous 174 the two teams battled back and forth in the opening period, with six lead changes and three ties, before the Falcons extended their lead to 9 points for a 40-31 lead at the conclusion of the first half.

The Lakers would open the game with 7-2 run through the 17:15 mark. The Falcons would respond with a 5-0 run of their over the next 55 seconds drawing level 7-7 with 16:20 remaining in the opening half. After drawing level 29-29 on a Kealy McNally free throw, the Falcons would go on an 11-2 run to end the half leading 40-31.

For the half, NDC went 14-for-29 (48.3 percent) from the floor, 5-for-8 (62.5 percent) from three point land, and 7-for-10 (70.0 percent) from the free throw line while the visitors went 10-for-24 (41.7 percent) from the floor, 4-for-10 (40.0 percent) from three point territory, and 7-for-12 (58.3 percent) from the charity stripe.

A 7-0 run by the Lakers to open the half cut the Falcons lead to two, 40-38, 2:12 into the period. The Falcons would respond over the next 1:26 with baskets by McNally and Wicks pushing the Blue & White lead back to seven, 47-40. A 10-0 run by Mercyhurst would put the visitors into the lead 52-50 with 9:58 remaining in the contest. Two key steals by McNally and baskets by Wicks, #Tracy Payne#, and Hunter put the Falcons in command 60-52 with 7:28 remaining. After extending their lead to 64-54 just under six and a half minutes remaining, Mercyhurst would never get closer than six points, as Notre Dame move onto their eighth consecutive win, 73-66.

“They (Mercyhurst) play a physical brand of basketball,” said Head Coach #Dick Deasy#. “Our girls showed great resiliency to play through it for a hard fought win.”

For the game, NDC went 25-for-53 (47.2 percent) from the floor, 8-for-15 (53.3 percent) from three point land, and 15-for-23 (65.2 percent) from the free throw line while the visitors went 23-for-53 (43.4 percent) from the floor, 5-for-18 (27.8 percent) from three point territory, and 15-for-23 (65.2 percent) from the charity stripe.

The Falcons head on the road for their next three contests, Dec. 11 against Slippery Rock, and Dec. 14 against Florida Memorial and Dec. 15 when the Blue & White face Northwood (Fla.). Notre Dame will return to the friendly confines of Murphy Gymnasium on Dec. 28, for a non league contest against Theil (Pa.).



NOTES FROM THE NEST….

MEET THE LAKERS: Mercyhurst College is located in Erie, Pa. The College was founded in 1926, has a present-day enrolment of 4,300. In athletics, MC is an NCAA-II institution and a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Mercyhurst first sponsored women's basketball in 1974 sponsors 24 athletic teams.

VS. THE HUST: Notre Dame has faced Mercyhurst five times in 2010 for a combined 1-4 record. The two schools first took to the gridiron Aug. 28, for the Falcons first varsity Football contest in school history with the Falcons losing 23-0, Volleyball lost in four sets, 1-3, Sept. 4, men's water polo took on the Lakers in two occasions, Sept. 25, and Oct. 30 losing 6-21, and 10-14 respectively.