SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – From the outset, the Notre Dame College women's basketball team controlled its game against West Virginia Wesleyan to win at home 72-53 and improve to 9-1 (5-1 MEC). The Falcons won each of the four quarters to win by a margin of 19.
 
Both the first half and the second showed off different strengths of NDC's. In the first two quarters, Notre Dame allowed just 18 points as the hosts went into halftime up by 13 points (31-18). In the third and fourth quarters, the Falcons shot over 51 percent from the field to score 41 points and close out the game.
 
Between the end of the first quarter and the middle of the second, the Falcon defense held WVWC scoreless for nearly seven minutes (6:42). And after the Bobcats scored their first points of the second quarter they went on another three-minute drought.
 
NDC forced 13 turnovers in the first half and 24 overall throughout the 40 minutes and totaled 14 steals in the game.
 
"It's pretty fun," said Jada Marone on her team's ability to lock down an opposing offense. "We have really bought into the defense, and it's something we take a lot of pride in."
 
The Falcons went in and out of different looks throughout the contest to apply pressure, including a successful full-court press. Head coach Lauren Macer said her team is always looking for an advantage, whether it's in preparation ahead of the game or seeing something while the game is being played.
 
"We're really working at being versatile in our defense and making reads for when we need to pull out certain sets," Macer said. "Whether it's momentum swings or needing to regroup, we are just focusing on playing to our strengths at any given time of the game."
 
The offense kicked into gear in the second half as Notre Dame was able to spread the ball around. Nine different players put points on the board as the bench kept the pressure going late into the game. Notre Dame's bench has been a strength this season as the Falcons have outscored their opponent's bench in nearly every game.
 
Marone, who started today's game, has a lot of experience as both a starter and a reserve. In 10 games this season, she has started four and came off the bench in six. With that experience, she has been able to help the team be successful in many different ways.
 
"It's very important to have that contribution off the bench because you have to be able to match the level of intensity from the starters to pick up from where they left off," Marone said. "We've been able to do that this season and it's worked pretty well for us."
 
Marone led both teams in scoring on Saturday with 17 points and made seven of her nine attempts from the field, including going two-for-two from three-point range.
 
"She's just a sophomore, which is nice because we're able to see her develop every game to become the best player she can be," Macer said. "She's able to get others involved and make the right reads. It's always great having her on the floor because she is constantly communicating with the team."
 
That communication went a long way against West Virginia Wesleyan as Marone gave credit to those around her for both her offensive and defensive success. The Berea, Ohio native also led both teams with five steals.
 
"I was able to drive to the rim tonight, and my teammates were always in the right spots to not allow any help defense come over," Marone said. "And they were all getting stops and playing so well on defense, it allowed me to come in and just grab the ball."
 
Joining in her success on both sides of the court was senior guard Seina Adachi, who totaled 14 points and three steals as well as four assists. Overall, four Falcons had three or more assists as the team found open shot after open shot in the second half.
 
Tamia Ridley led NDC with seven rebounds in 10 minutes of play off the bench while Theresa Parr scored nine points as a reserve.
 
Notre Dame will play Slippery Rock on Tuesday, December 17, at 6 p.m. in Murphy Gymnasium.