Box Score SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- The Notre Dame Falcons forced 28 Walsh turnovers on Thursday evening at Murphy Gymnasium, as the Falcons won their third home game of the season, defeating the Cavaliers, 71-62. (Box)

For the Falcons (11-11) the victory marks their fourth in their last five games, and their first win at home against Walsh since 2009. For the Cavaliers (13-13), the loss gives them two in their last three games. 

Notre Dame set the tone early on, as Lauren Macer buried a 3-pointer on NDC's opening possession to give the Falcons the lead.  Macer hit a pair of trifectas in the first three minutes of the game, accounting for six of NDC's first eight points. 

A tenacious effort on the defensive end allowed the Falcons to establish an early lead.  NDC forced five Cavalier turnovers and held Walsh to a 1-for-8 (12.5-percent) shooting performance over the first six minutes of the game, allowing the Falcons to take a 12-5 advantage. 

In addition to their terrific defensive effort, the Falcons also shot the ball extremely well early on, nailing four of their first eight shots from beyond the arc, and took their largest lead of the opening half (31-22) on Martha Nagbe's 3-ball at the 5:08-mark. 

The Cavaliers kept themselves in the game, by outrebounding the Falcons, 25-5 in the first half, and hit 14-of-16 (87.5-percent) of their free throws.  The Cavaliers snagged 11 offensive rebounds in the opening stanza, but also committed 13 turnovers. 

Notre Dame shot the ball well in the first half, connecting on 50.0-percent (14-for-28) of their shots from the floor, including a 50.0-percent clip (7-for-14) from beyond the arc, and made six out of seven free throws, giving them a 41-36 lead at the half. 

The Blue & White were ice cold at the beginning of the second half.  Tracy Payne tied the game at 41-41 on a 3-ball at the 18:03-mark, as the Cavaliers opened the second half with an 8-0 run, to take a 44-41 advantage. 

The Falcons missed their first seven shots of the half, and didn't get their first shot to fall until Megan Scarberry netted a baseline jumper at the 13:18-mark. Scarberry's jumper not only got the Falcons out of their funk, but it kick started an 8-0 Falcon run, capped by Nagbe's layup, giving NDC a 49-44 advantage with 11:44 to play. 

Walsh's Tanisha Lawler hit a jumper at the 10:33-mark to give the Cavaliers a 50-49 advantage, but the Falcons responded with an 11-0 run over the next four minutes.  During that stretch, the Cavaliers turned the ball over five times, allowing the Falcons to take a 60-50 lead. 

Notre Dame never looked back, and picked up the pace on the offensive glass, snagging 10 offensive rebounds in the second half.  The Cavaliers remained close over the final few minutes, but with 1:08 to play, Macer buried a big 3-pointer which put the game away. 

Three Falcons scored in double figures.  Macer led the way with 19 points on an incredible 5-for-8 (62.5-percent) shooting performance beyond the arc.  Nagbe added 16 points and pulled down six boards, while Scarberry scored 10 points and had two assists. 

Notre Dame shot 43.3-percent (26-for-60) from the floor on the evening, and hit 37.5-percent (12-for-32) of their shots from beyond the arc.  The Falcons also came away with 12 steals, and shot 80.0-percent (8-for-10) from the free throw line. 

The Falcons are in action again on Saturday, Feb. 11, when they head to Canton, Ohio, to take on Malone. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m. 

NOTES FROM THE NEST …

CLASHING WITH THE CAVALIERS: Thursday night's tilt marked the 16th meeting between the Falcons and Cavaliers since 1998.  The Cavaliers hold a 12-4 edge over Notre Dame during that stretch.  Prior to Thursday night's win, Notre Dame's last victory at against Walsh came on the road back on Feb. 20, 2010.

HOME STRETCH: The Falcons are in the middle of a stretch where they play four out of five games at home.  NDC is 3-4 in seven home contests this season, with victories over Malone, Walsh and Urbana.  Notre Dame is shooting 38.0-percent (162-426) from the floor at home this season, while averaging 63.3 PPG.