Box Score
WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. -- The Notre Dame Falcons used a 13-0 run in the third quarter to pull away from West Liberty on Saturday afternoon to score their first win of the season, in a 79-65 win over the Hilltoppers.  

The victory for Notre Dame (1-2, 1-0 MEC) was their second in as many years over the Hilltoppers in West Liberty, while the loss for West Liberty (0-4, 0-1 MEC) was their fourth in a row overall, and their third against NDC in their last four regular season meetings. 

The Falcons were able to jump out to an early 7-3 lead, thanks to a great defensive effort over the first five minutes. During that stretch, they forced five turnovers, while holding the Hilltoppers to just 20-percent (1-for-5) shooting from the field.  

Notre Dame caught fire, and was able to add to that lead, as they found themselves ahead, 24-12 at the end of the first quarter. Kelsey Miller had a huge first quarter for the Falcons, scoring 12 points and adding five rebounds. The Falcons shot 52.6-percent (10-for-19) from the floor in the first quarter, while controlling the glass with a 13-7 rebounding advantage. In addition, they were great defensively, holding the Hilltoppers to just 4-for-15 (26.7-percent) from the floor, and they came away with six steals. 

Miller continued her hot half, as she completed an old fashioned 3-point play just 16 seconds into the second quarter to give the Falcons a 27-12 lead. Notre Dame led by as many as 16 (32-16) after Miller's jumper at the 8:09-mark, before the Hilltoppers came storming back. 

Over the last eight minutes of the half, the Hillltoppers went on a 22-9 run, and brought the deficit all the down to three (41-38) by halftime. West Liberty had a lot of trouble containing Miller in the opening half, as she led the Falcons with 17 points, and added eight rebounds. 

The Hilltoppers were able to tie the game just a couple of minutes into the second half, and they eventually took a 49-48 lead over the Falcons with 4:59 to play in the third quarter, before the NDC defense went to work again. 

17 seconds after the Hilltoppers took the lead, Jessie Stout hit a jumper which triggered a 13-0 Notre Dame run over the final five minutes of the quarter. Notre Dame's defense put the clamps on West Liberty, as the Hilltoppers missed five straight shots during that drought, and NDC took a 61-49 lead into the fourth quarter. 

Notre Dame did not allow the Hilltoppers many chances to get back into the game in the fourth quarter. A relentless pursuit on the defensive glass negated any second chance opportunities for the West Liberty offense, as the Falcons led by no less than eight through the rest of the game, and hung on for the victory. 

Miller had a huge game for the Falcons, with 30 points, 17 rebounds and added four assists. Stout added a dozen points to go along with eight rebounds, while Ciara Reed added 11 points. NDC out-rebounded WLU, 46-34, and came away with 10 steals on the afternoon. 

The Falcons return to action on Monday, Nov. 21, when they host Wheeling Jesuit at Murphy Gymnasium for their home opener. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.