INSTITUTE, W.Va. - After gaining a lead with just over five minutes to go in the first quarter the Notre Dame College women's basketball team did not look back, carrying its lead throughout the remainder of the game to win 67-58 against Winston-Salem State in the first game of the 2019-20 season. 

A layup from Jessie Stout put NDC ahead 7-6 at the 5:23 mark in the first quarter, and while the Rams would get close, tying the game early in the third quarter, the Falcons would not relinquish their lead from that point on. Notre Dame finished the first quarter with a 15-8 lead, spreading the ball around well. No player for the Falcons had more than four points in the first 10 minutes, with six players contributing to the teams first 15 points. 

In the second quarter, WSSU climbed back into the game to bring it within two points (24-26) before halftime. The Rams would tie the game 26-26, scoring the first points in the third quarter, but from there the Notre Dame defense would dominate. 

The Falcons forced seven turnovers in the third quarter, which included five steals. NDC took advantage of Winston-Salem State giving the ball up with 15 points off turn turnovers in the third quarter alone. Throughout the game, Notre Dame scored 27 points off turnovers compared to WSSU's nine. 

Seina Adachi led her team in the second half with 13 points in the final two quarters on 5-of-6 shooting. Adachi totaled 20 points, shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc. With three makes from distance, Adachi became just the fourth player in program history to make 150 threes. 

"Seina was able to let the game come to her and trust that her teammates were right there with her possession after possession," head coach Lauren Macer said. 

Macer, in her third year, is now 3-0 in season openers. She was pleased with how her team played, but is also looking forward to how they can develop throughout the remainder of the schedule. 

"The team played well for the first game of the year," Macer said. "They played through possessions and moved the ball. I'm proud of the effort. The rest of it will come, and I'm excited for this group."

Adachi led the team in scoring, making eight of her 16 attempts from the field. She was also second in rebounding with eight trailing Jessie Stout who started the year off strong with 11 boards. Jada Marone tacked on 11 points and earned five steals, including three in the team's third-quarter run. Katie Karalic had a solid night on the line, making five free throws to help her reach nine points. 

Notre Dame continues their season tomorrow, November 10, against Livingstone. Sunday's contest is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.