Buckhannon, W.Va. - A strong defensive performance led the Notre Dame College women's basketball team to a 59-48 win on Thursday evening at the Rockefeller Arena in Mountain East Conference play.

The Falcons improve to 13-8 overall and 10-7 in the MEC. West Virginia Wesleyan falls to 2-19 overall and 0-17 in the MEC.

Notre Dame College took the lead (5-4) 4:30 into the game on a Martha Nagbe free throw. The Falcons would not relinquish this lead and had extended it to ten (33-23) at halftime after Alyssa Kraus hit a three-pointer to close out the half.

West Virginia Wesleyan fought back in the second half and trimmed the Falcons lead to three (40-37) with 12:32 remaining. The Falcons, however would respond and put together an 8-0 run to claim a 48-37 lead with 7:06 remaining. NDC continued to extend their lead in the final five minutes and to claim a 59-48 victory.  

The Falcons continued their hot-streak from the line, shooting 81 percent (21-of-26) for the second game in a row.

Sophomore guard Martha Nagbe and senior forward Erin Entinghe led the Falcons with 14 points and 5 rebounds each. Sophomore guard Lauren Langenderfer produced her best performance since the season-opener against Ohio Christian with 9 points and 6 rebounds.

The Bobcats were led by Kacey Johnson with 11 points.

NDC held advantages over the Bobcats in rebounds (47-33), steals (14-10), field goal percentage (34-31) and free-throw percentage (81-71)

The Falcons will return to action on Saturday at Murphy Gymnasium at 1 p.m. against the No.10 Glenville State Pioneers. Saturday's game is the Falcons Alumni game with all women's basketball alumni in attendance being honored at halftime.