Box Score
SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- Notre Dame lost its second straight game decided in the waning seconds and its third straight game overall, as the Falcons fell, 57-55, to Clarion (Pa.) on Saturday.

For Notre Dame (0-3), the home game (NDC's home opener) came on the heels of a 56-55 loss at Le Moyne (N.Y.) on Nov. 12.  With NDC shooting just 25.0 percent (8-of-32 in the final 20 minutes of play, the Falcons let a nine-point halftime lead slip away.

Clarion (2-1) went on a late run and hit its free throws down the stretch, as the Eagles prevailed in what was the first meeting between the two programs.

“We played well in the first half, showing a lot of energy and hustle,” said Head Coach Katie Hine.  “But shots didn't fall in the second, and we didn't finish with the same determination we showed in the first half.”

NDC went on a 10-2 run to start the game, with a strong Falcon defense holding Clarion to just one made field goal in the Eagles' first 10 attempts from the floor.  Throughout much of the balance of the first frame, the two teams traded baskets, and Notre Dame went into halftime with a 31-22 lead.

Erin Entinghe and Lauren Macer had big first halves for the Falcons.  Entinghe had 10 points and seven rebounds; Macer chipped in 12 points and six boards.

A second-half run by Clarion got the Eagles back in the game.  A three-ball by Leisha Crawford at the 11:35-mark brought the visiting five to within two points (40-38) of the Falcons.  By the 9:34-mark, the Eagles had gone on a 20-9 run and were up, 44-42.

A taut defensive battle ensued for the remainder of the contest, with both sides battling for buckets.  When junior guard Raven Jones converted on a layup in the final minute, that basket capped off a late 8-2 run, and the Eagles found themselves up, 56-53.

A pair of free throws by Molly Ritz at the 22-second mark brought Notre Dame within one, 56-55.  After a timeout and pressing on CU's next possession, the Falcons forced a turnover but a miscue on an attempted feed inside gave the ball back to the Eagles with just 10 seconds remaining in the game.

Clarion maintained possession for several seconds before drawing one last desperation foul. Junior forward Lauren Savulchak hit two free throws, and that iced the game for the Eagles.

Savulchak finished with 10 points for CU; the Eagles were led by Raven Jones, who had 12 points.  Senior forward Aleya Miller (nine rebounds, one block, three steals) had a solid floor game for Clarion, which has now won two straight games.

Erin Entinghe finished with a career-high 17 points to lead Notre Dame in scoring.  Entinghe went 6-for-10 from the floor; the rest of the team shot a combined 28.3 percent (15-of-53) in what was an otherwise well-played game for the home side.  Entinghe's 17 points were the front half of a double-double.  The junior from Avon, Ohio, garnered 11 rebounds.

Lauren Macer had 14 points to notch her third straight game in double digits.

With Saturday's result, Notre Dame starts its home campaign with a loss for the third time in as many years.  Prior to Saturday's College Road lid-lifter and dating back to Feb. 9, 2012, the Blue & White had won five straight at home.

Notre Dame's next game -- a Monday night (6 p.m.) contest at Ohio Valley (W. Va.) -- will be on the road.  The Falcons are slated to play their next home tilt on Nov. 21, a Wednesday-night affair against the Findlay Oilers.