ASHLAND, Ohio – Each of the past three seasons the Notre Dame College women's basketball team has traveled to Ashland University to compete in a non-conference game. And, despite Ashland having won all three contests, it has been an important stop on the Falcons schedule.
 
It was no different on Monday evening when NDC lost to the No. 8 Eagles 103-58. Head coach Lauren Macer said the game helps the team in multiple ways.
 
"It exposes things we need to work on," the second-year coach said. "It shows us how we measure up against tough competition in Ohio and we can see where we are against top teams at this point in the year."
 
Macer also said that every year they know they will have a good game against Ashland and it holds the team accountable for what they are trying to do. Over the first two seasons, the matchup has benefited the Falcons.
 
In the 2016-17 season, while Macer was an assistant coach with the team, Notre Dame was 2-5 before playing Ashland. After the contest, the Falcons finished the year 13-7.
 
Last season, in Macer's debut, Ashland was the third game on NDC's schedule. And after starting off 1-2, she led her team to a 23-9 finish, which set the NCAA DII record for most wins at Notre Dame.
 
The Falcons are currently 6-4 (4-2 MEC), which is the best they have sat after playing the Eagles. In a tie for third in the conference, and with two non-conference games to play still in December, NDC will look to go on another post-Ashland run.
 
This year against AU the bench came alive for Notre Dame as Alli DeLaney scored 10 points in 10 minutes to lead the team in scoring. Overall, bench players scored 28 of the teams 58 points with the help of Julie Kemp's eight and Maggie King's four.
 
Seina Adachi put up eight points and led the team with four rebounds while King pulled down three. Theresa Parr assisted on four field goals in just 12 minutes played.
 
Notre Dame will travel to Wayne State in Detroit, Mich. on Wednesday, December 19, at 5:30 p.m.