Box Score
SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va -- After a two-week break between games during the Holiday season, the Falcons took to the road to square off against the Shepherd University Rams in a Mountain East Conference showdown. In a game where neither side led by more than nine, the Falcons fell short against the Rams, losing by a narrow score of 76-71 on Saturday afternoon.

The Falcons jumped out to an early 11-6 lead after Jessica Garcia nailed a 3-pointer at the 15:10 mark in the first half. However, the Rams went on a 12-0 run to take an 18-11 lead before Alyssa Kraus drained a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to 18-13.

With 7:25 remaining in the first half, Kraus hit a jumper to bring the score to within one, 24-23. A few minutes later, a pair of lay-ups from Molly Ritz and Martha Nagbe gave the Falcons a 32-31 lead. The Rams responded by closing the first half on a 9-4 run, taking a 40-36 lead at intermission.

Less than three minutes into the second half, Ritz hit two free throws to tie the game at 42. Shepherd went on an 11-4 run to take a 53-46 lead, but Ritz again stepped up and scored an easy lay-up to keep NDC close. 

With less than six minutes in the second half, the Rams took a nine-point lead - their biggest of the game - before Celine Mangan sank a 3-pointer for the Falcons. NDC trailed by just six, 65-59, at the media timeout with 4:58 left in the game.

However, the Falcons and Rams exchanged punches throughout the remainder of the game, and the Falcons fell short by a final score of 76-71 on the road. 

With the loss, the Falcons fall to 6-5 on the season, including 2-3 in MEC play. NDC will return to action on Monday, Jan. 5 at Fairmont State University.

Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.