SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Seina Adachi made back-to-back threes in the first minute of play on Wednesday, setting the pace for the Notre Dame College women's basketball team. The Falcons followed her lead as they defeated West Virginia State 95-85, scoring the third-most points in NDC's NCAA Division II history.
 
Notre Dame kept things rolling throughout the first five minutes, making six of its first seven shots, which led to a 29-19 advantage at the end of quarter one.
 
West Virginia State found a balance in the second quarter, keeping the game within 10 as the teams tied 21-21 to give the Falcons a 50-40 lead at halftime.
 
In the third quarter, Notre Dame was able to get its signature defense going by holding the Yellow Jackets to just 10 points. The Falcons scored 23 in the third to go up 73-50 heading into the final quarter.
 
WVSU was able to find a rhythm in the fourth quarter, scoring 35 points, but the Falcons kept up after making some adjustments to keep the visitors at a distance.
 
Playing a key role in the offense's success was NDC's ability to move the ball. Notre Dame ended the game with 27 assists, which is tied for the third-most in the program's history. Last season, the Falcons were able to total 31 assists against West Virginia State.
 
"We have been able to take advantage of their 2-3 zone and really move the ball to find an open shooter," said head coach Lauren Macer. "Our team has been so selfless this year, and everyone trust each other to make the best decision."
 
Seven of the 27 assists came from sophomore guard Jada Marone, who also led the team with 22 points. Adachi and Katie Karalic also made the most of their passes, as the each recorded five assists.
 
Marone had her best collegiate game with career highs in both points and assists (tied) while also gathering seven rebounds, stealing the ball twice and earning a crowd-pleasing block.  
 
"Jada has developed her skillset so much this offseason and throughout the year so far," Macer said. "She is always in the gym and we have been seeing it pay off all season long."
 
Marone was not the only player who had a career night, however, as Jen Oduho recorded her first collegiate double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds in just 24 minutes. Oduho was challenged as she had to contend with WVSU's six-foot forward Chloe Cheresne, who was held to just six rebounds.
 
"I was just trying to outwork her every possession," Oduho said. "I didn't come into the game with a strong feeling of being able to get a double-double, but as the game went on I could tell I was close. We knew they were going to come in and play hard so my mindset was just to crash and match their intensity."
 
Marone and Oduho were joined in double-digit scoring by Adachi (20), Kyleigh Ramlow (15) and Jessie Stout (12). Theresa Parr played solid minutes off the bench with eight points, six rebounds and a game-high three blocks.
 
The team effort was rewarded as the Falcons took sole possession of first place in the Mountain East Conference standings after Charleston suffered a loss to Urbana.
 
Notre Dame will face off against Charleston on Saturday, January 18, at 2 p.m.