This Week: Notre Dame College hosts Concord on Wednesday, January 29, at 5:30 p.m. before traveling to Glenville State for a game on Saturday, February 1, at 2 p.m.  

Records: The Falcons lost to Urbana last week after a 10-game winning streak pushed them to the top of the Mountain East Conference standings. With a 16-2 (10-2 MEC) record, Notre Dame is tied for first in the MEC standings with Glenville State (14-4, 10-2 MEC). Concord currently ranks fourth with an 11-6 (8-4 MEC) record.

Coaches Corner: Lauren Macer is in her third season as head coach of the Falcons. She holds a record of 54-25, 39-17 MEC. Kenny Osborne is in his 20th season at the helm of the Concord program and boasts a 267-292 (59-87 MEC). Kim Stephens is in her fourth year at Glenville State. Stephens has led the Pioneers to three-straight MEC Championships and back-to-back MEC Tournament Championships. She is 99-15 overall at GSC with a 71-7 conference record

Rankings: None of the teams competing this week were ranked in the top 25 of the January 28 Women's Basketball Coaches Association poll. Notre Dame did receive votes, and with 26 points was just three spots out of the top 25. Last week NDC was ranked No. 24 in the January 21 WBCA poll, making its first appearance in a top 25 in program history.  

Series History: The Falcons improved to 11-2 against Concord after a close 85-82 road win earlier this season. Notre Dame lost both its games against CU last season. Glenville State is currently on a nine-game winning streak against the Falcons, and the Pioneers currently lead the series 12-2. Notre Dame's first loss this season came against GSC as the Pioneers came to South Euclid to win 93-73.

Noting the Falcons: It has been almost a full calendar year since Notre Dame has lost back-to-back games, and the Falcons are looking to extend that feat through this week after falling to Urbana in their last game. NDC will need to convert on more shots from beyond the arc in order to get back to its winning ways. The Falcons have shot below .180 from three-point range just twice this season, both times resulting in losses. Despite the Falcons shooting .485 against Glenville State overall and .400 against Urbana in those losses, the pattern remains. Notre Dame has shot below .400 from the field four times this season, and have won all four of those games, despite opponents shooting at better rates in two of those contests. Notre Dame has shot under .200 from distance this season just three times, with its worst marks coming in those losses.

Noting the Mountain Lions: Notre Dame has seen a lot of Concord's forward duo of Madison May (senior) and Riley Fitzwater (junior), who are playing in their final season together. At heights of 6-1 and 6-4 the pair has left their mark on the conference with two All-MEC honors each. May currently leads the Mountain Lions in scoring (22.0 points per game) and assists (4.6) and ranks second in rebounds (8.3). Fitzwater leads the team in rebounds with 11.0 per game, and averages a double-double with 15.0 points per game. Fitzwater's 69 blocks lead the Mountain East with the next closest player only at 33.

Noting the Pioneers: Both Glenville State and Notre Dame will be highly motivated in their second matchup this season as they are vying for the top spot in the Mountain East standings. While the Pioneers are looking to defend their title and win it for a fourth-straight year, NDC has something to prove after being picked to finish fifth in the preseason coaches' poll. Glenville State has set itself up for long-term success as its top two highest scoring players are just sophomores. Shooting .639 from the field, Zakiyah Winfield is averaging 18.7 points per game. Re'Shawna Stone is second on the team with 17.9 points.