WEST CHESTER, Pa. – There was no looking back for the Notre Dame College women's basketball team after they secured a lead at the 1:15 mark in the first quarter against Millersville. The Falcons went up 15-13 and never allowed the Marauders to lead again.
 
NDC found itself down 11-6 early in the first quarter, but after the media timeout the Falcons went on a run to end the quarter up 17-14. Theresa Parr made her presence known in her debut game, scoring six-straight points in 98 seconds. Parr's baskets brought her team from a four-point deficit to a two-point lead towards the end of the opening 10 minutes.
 
The lead built by Parr was grown to as many as nine in the second quarter before Millersville brought it back to within five to give the Falcons a 35-30 lead at halftime.
 
"The team was excited going into the game today, which is understandable with it being the first of the season," said head coach Lauren Macer. "They figured out how to take that energy and make some good things happen on the court."
 
Seina Adachi took off from where she left last season as the team's leading scorer to put up 17 in the opening half. Jessie Stout found similar success from when she last played. After sitting out a season with an injury, Stout gathered six rebounds in the first half, including four on the offensive glass.
 
The Falcons showed off their bounty of weapons in the second half as the team combined for 36 points without a single player in the double digits. Kyleigh Ramlow led the team in last 20 minutes with nine points on two three-pointers and three free throws. One of Ramlow's threes came at a crucial moment after the Marauders tied the game 49-49 with 45 second left in the third quarter; Ramlow's deep field goal put the Falcons back on top heading into the fourth.
 
All three of Ramlow's makes from beyond the arc were made off assists from her teammates. Overall, Notre Dame had 20 assists on 27 field goals throughout the contest. Stout and Katie Karalic led the team with seven assists each.
 
"We have a lot of players that are able to attack and shoot," Macer said. "They play together and make the extra pass. The team trusts each other to find the open person. Karalic and Stout both came up with seven assists, which is great for our team."
 
Karalic not only had a stellar game in passing the ball on the offensive end, but she also disrupted several on defense. The junior from Macedonia, Ohio stole the ball eight times, tying for second most in a game in NDC history.  
 
Adachi added six steals of her own as the team was able to force 28 turnovers throughout the contest and record 19 steals. That mark of 19 would have been second most last year.
 
"I give our defense a lot of credit in today's game," Macer said. "The team committed to talking on defense and playing together. A lot of our steals came from that and having good rotations."
 
Notre Dame kept things rolling in the fourth quarter, outscoring Millersville 19-12 to win 71-61. The Falcons made use of the turnovers and second chance points as they were able to get of 18 more shots than their competition.
 
NDC secured 22 offensive rebounds, which ranks second most when compared to last year's games. Adachi was able to secure six offensive rebounds while Stout brought down five on her way to a total of eight to lead the team.
 
Adachi ended the game with 24 points while Ramlow scored 12 and Stout tallied 10.
 
Notre Dame will play at West Chester, against the hosting Golden Rams, tomorrow, November 11, at 3 p.m.