INSTITUTE, W.Va. – After falling down by 13 points in the first quarter, Notre Dame College went on to outscore West Virginia State University in each of the final three quarters to walk away with an 84-76 victory. Sophomore Jada Marone set career-highs in points (28) and steals (6) in the comeback effort.

To start the game Notre Dame was the team with the fast start, knocking down six of their first seven shots and taking a 12-6 lead over the Yellow Jackets. The momentum began to shift with 4:38 remaining in the first quarter when a three pointer by WVSU's Madison Riley cut the NDC lead to one point, 14-13.

That was the beginning of a West Virginia State 19-2 run, shocking the Falcons, who were held scoreless for the final 3:18 of the quarter. Three consecutive 3-pointers, near the end of the quarter, pushed WVSU's three-point shooting percentage to 57-percent and they led 29-16 after 10 minutes.

"After the first quarter, we had to focus on staying disciplined, playing our pace," Head Coach Lauren Macer said. "We had to regroup and refocus."

That's exactly what the Falcons did, and their energy was visible immediately. NDC missed two shots, but two offensive rebounds kept the ball in their hands and led to Jen Oduho at the free throw line.

Marone then stole the ball, and after a missed three pointer, Oduho hauled in the offensive board and was fouled again. After Seina Adachi knocked down a jumper, Theresa Parr stole the ball and that led to a three by Marone. Another turnover by WVSU was followed by a three pointer by Adachi.

Notre Dame's energy brought them right back with a 13-0 run to start the second quarter. With 6:17 on the clock, the game was tied at 29.

After that point, the lead changed six times. The Falcons closed the first half on a 6-0 run, which was made possible because of back-to-back steals by Marone. At halftime, NDC led 43-41. Marone and Adachi already had 11 points, each, at the break and Marone had missed just one shot. Oduho totaled four offensive rebounds and nine, overall.

NDC totaled six steals within the first three minutes of the third quarter. On offense, a 6-0 run bumped the lead to eight points, 49-41. A long range make by Marone, with 7:19 on the clock, gave Notre Dame a 56-45 lead.

West Virginia State was still hungry and used the three point shot to climb back into the game. A 14-2 run over four-and-a-half minutes, which included three 3-pointers, put the Yellow Jackets back in the lead, 59-58. However, a 7-1 run by the Falcons in the final two minutes combated the threat and NDC led 65-60 at the end of the third.

Between the second and third quarters, Notre Dame combined to shoot 53-percent (19-for-36) from the field. They did not shoot as well in the fourth quarter, but still opened the stanza on a 9-2 run, expanding the lead to a game-high 12 points, 74-62, with 4:29 left in the game.

In the second half, Marone totaled 17 points on 67-percent shooting from the field and 60-percent from three. She also made six free throws. For the game, she totaled 28 points on 75-percent shooting, had five assists, six steals and two blocks.

Adachi had 15 points, while Stout and Parr each totaled 12. Oduho tied her season-high with 12 rebounds. The other time she had 12 rebounds was NDC's first matchup with W.Va. State. The Falcons accumulated 16 steals in the game and 38 points off turnovers.

With their 23rd win of the season, NDC has now tied their NCAA Division II program record in wins for a single season.

Notre Dame comes home to battle West Liberty University on February 26. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.