SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- Notre Dame (17-5) handed NCAA-II Salem International (W.Va.), their 15th consecutive loss of the season, 90-30, on Tuesday evening at the Murphy Gymnasium. (Box)

After a slow start, #Lauren Macer# hit a jumper from the wing extending the Falcons lead to five, (15-10) with 9:58 remaining in the opening 20 minutes. The Fighting Tigers would never draw closer as Notre Dame went on an 18-0 run over the next four minutes (28-10). The Blue & White would close the half on an 11-5 run for a 39-15 lead going into the locker room.

The Falcons were led by 15 first half points by Macer on 5-for-8 (62.5 percent) shooting. The sophomore from Twinsburg, Ohio, converted 4-for-6 (66.6 percent) trips to the foul line and picked two pockets in the first half of action.

Notre Dame closed the first half shooting 34.2 percent (13-for-38) from the floor, including 14.3 percent (2-for-14) behind the arch. From the foul line the Falcons converted 78.6 percent (11-for-14).

Salem International finished the first half shooting 21.2 percent (7-for-33), including 0-for-4 from behind the arch. From the foul line the Fighting Tigers shot 20.0 percent (1-for-5).

A 28-4 run at the outset of the second half capped by a jumper by #Erin Entinghe# at the 9:03 mark propelled the Falcons to their sixth win in their last seven games.

The Fighting Tigers effort was hurt further when Treshaun Roberson picked up her fifth personal foul with 8:31 remaining. The foul resulted in the undermanned squad playing the final minutes with just five players and #Alexia Tropiano# made 1-for-2 of the ensuing free throws. Notre Dame extended their lead to 60 points for their largest win of the season, 90-30.

“Salem deserves a lot of credit, they are a feisty group of girls that come to battle every night despite the odds against them. I can only hope our girls are inspired by SIU's effort and determination.” Coach #Dick Deasy# said.

With the victory, Notre Dame (17-5) moves Coach #Dick Deasy#'s team within earshot of its first 20-win season since 2007-08. For Salem International (0-15) the loss marks their third straight season with 15 losses to open a season.

A host of Falcons would lead the way, #Katie Stumphauzer# (19 points, eight rebounds, four steals), Macer (15 points), #Alexia Tropiano# (11 points, six rebounds), #Danielle Ledrich# (11 points), #Ashanti McLeod# (six points, five rebounds, five assists), and #Brittany Terry# (seven points, six assists). Notre Dame finished the game shooting 47.8 percent (33-for-69) including 23.1 percent (6-for-26) from three. From the line Notre Dame converted 66.7 percent (18-for-27) foul shots. Stumphauzer and Tropiano had a career day, for Stumphauzer she put up career highs in points and rebounds, while Tropiano put up career highs in points and assists.

“It was great to see our young players get some much needed minutes while we were able to rest our starters this late in the season.” Deasy said.

Salem International was led by Brittany Wells (nine points), Amber Few (eight points), Treshaun Roberson (seven points, five rebounds), Vanessa Jones (seven rebounds), and Monique Hill (six rebounds), as the Fighting Tigers shot 21.3 percent (13-for-61) from the floor, including 8.3 percent (1-for-12) from three. SIU shot 33.3 percent (3-for-9) from the foul line. For Hill the rebounds marked a career high for the 5-5 freshman guard from Mount Vernon, N.Y.

Notre Dame will return to AMC action on Saturday Jan. 29 at Point Park (Pa.). The game will mark the first of back-to-back road contests for the Falcons. Tip-off for Saturday's contest is set for 2 p.m.



NOTES FROM THE NEST….


LADIES OF STEAL: Notre Dame came in ranked 15th in the nation (NAIA-II) in steals, with 12.5 per game. The Falcons made 16 thefts against Salem International on Tuesday evening, raising their average to 12.7 per game.

WHERE THEY STAND: Through the weekend's action in American Mideast Conference play, Notre Dame is in second place in the 12-team circuit. Only Daemen (N.Y.), with a 9-0 AMC record, has a better league mark than NDC's 7-1 record.

SPEAD ATTACK: Over the last five games, seven different Falcons have scored in double figures, led by senior C Yvette Hunter who has scored double figures in 15 consecutive games played.