Box Score
SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- The Notre Dame College women's basketball team dropped a tough 77-71 decision to the visiting West Virginia State Yellowjackets in Mountain East Conference competition.

The Falcons trailed by just five, 18-13, after one quarter of play, and both sides battled throughout a back-and-forth second quarter, with NDC outscoring WV State 19-18 in the second. 

At halftime, the Falcons trailed by just four, 36-32, and were led by nine points from Martha Nagbe and seven points from Jessica Garcia. Knowing they needed to start the second half with momentum, the Falcons immediately turned up the tempo and the pressure on the Yellowjackets.

NDC began the third quarter with an 11-6 run, capped off by an and-one play from Garcia. The bucket and ensuing free throw from Garcia gave the Falcons a 43-42 lead with 6:49 remaining in the third.

After the Yellowjackets took a 46-43 lead, Ciara Reed hit a lay-up and was fouled in the process. Reed converted her free throw, completing the three-point play, and tying the score at 46 in a tight battle between both sides.

Both teams continued to exchange buckets, making the score tied at 50-50 with 3:32 remaining in the third.

Lexi Hassing then scored a bucket for the Falcons, giving NDC the lead once again, 52-50. Lauren Langenderfer then cashed in on a pair of free throws, extending the lead to four.

A lay-up from Kelsey Miller was followed by a 3-pointer from Garcia, and the Falcons were rolling on all cylinders as they led 59-50. A free throw from Martha Nagbe extended the Falcons' lead to double-digits, 60-50, with less than one minute remaining in the third.

However, a late bucket from the Yellowjackets cut NDC's lead to seven, 60-53, going into the fourth quarter. WVSU's momentum carried over into the fourth quarter as they outscored the Falcons by a 24-11 margin, taking control of the game.

The Falcons had late opportunities to claw back into the game, but late free throws from the Yellowjackets doomed NDC, resulting in a 77-71 loss.

With the loss, the Falcons fall to 2-5 on the season, including an 0-3 mark in MEC play. The Falcons will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 5 at home against the Charleston Golden Eagles in another MEC battle.

Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Murphy Gym.