Box Score
WEST LIBERTY, W.Va -- The Notre Dame College women's basketball team defeated the Mercyhurst Lakers on Sunday afternoon in non-conference action, winning the game 74-67. The Falcons scored 27 points in the fourth quarter to spur a comeback over the Lakers, giving NDC its first win of the young 2015-16 season.

The Falcons did not get out to the start they envisioned, falling behind 24-15 at the end of the first quarter. The Lakers extended their lead to 12 early in the second quarter, but the Falcons proved resilient.

Lauren Langenderfer and Jessica Garcia drained consecutive jumpers to cut the deficit to just eight, 27-19, giving NDC a momentum boost. Garcia stayed hot throughout the second quarter, scoring nine points to help NDC's comeback efforts. Kim Cook drained a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to cut the Falcons' deficit to just one, 37-36, going into halftime.

NDC outscored Mercyhurst 21-13 in the second quarter, and came into the second half with momentum on the Falcons' side.

However, the Lakers extended their lead to eight, 48-40, midway through the third quarter. Once again, the Falcons rallied back.

A jumper from Martha Nagbe, the 2014-15 Mountain East Conference Player of the Year, cut NDC's deficit to just three, 50-47, with 1:39 remaining in the third quarter. However, a last second basket for the Lakers put the Falcons behind by five going into the fourth and final frame.

Mercyhurst scored the first bucket of the fourth quarter to take a seven-point lead, 54-47, and the Falcons again needed a comeback effort.

After a missed jumper from Garcia, Kelsey Miller reeled in the offensive rebound and was fouled, making both free throws. On the next possession, Miller drilled a jump shot to bring NDC within three, 54-51.

Once again, the Lakers extended their lead to seven, 60-53, with 6:24 remaining in the game. Cook immediately responded for the Falcons, draining another 3-pointer. Cook's three spurred a 9-2 run for the Falcons which tied the score at 62-62 with just 4:07 remaining in the game.

On the ensuing Lakers' possession, Cook stole a pass and dished to Langenderfer, who made the basket and was fouled in the process. Langenderfer hit the free throw, making the score 65-62 Falcons and also giving NDC its first lead since leading 10-9 in the first quarter.

Nagbe made a jumper to extend NDC's lead to five, but Mercyhurst answered with a 3-pointer. Garcia hit another jumper to push the lead to four, but the Lakers again responded with a bucket of their own. 

Leading 69-67 with under one minute to play, Nagbe made a vital jump shot to give NDC a four point lead with 47 seconds remaining. After forcing a missed jumper from the Lakers, the Falcons went to the free throw line and put the game on ice, holding on for the 74-67 win.

With the win, the Falcons improve to 1-1 on the season. NDC will return to action on Thursday, Nov. 19 at home against Tiffin University in a non-conference matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Murphy Gym.