SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Solid first and fourth quarters bookended a 76-67 victory for the Notre Dame College women's basketball team against Davis & Elkins on Saturday as the Falcons improved to 19-3 (13-3 MEC).
 
Things got off to a hot start as NDC led 27-17 after the first 10 minutes, forcing eight turnovers and scoring 13 points off turnovers gave the hosts momentum that would carry through the game.
 
Overall, D&E turned the ball over 28 times and Notre Dame scored 29 points off those turnovers.
 
"I think the press in the first half really sped them up and forced some bad decisions," senior guard Katie Karalic said. "We made changes in the second half and the zone made it hard for them to adjust, and we were able to take advantage of that."
 
The Senators were able to slow things down in the second and third quarters to get the game back into reach, trailing by a single point at times, but Notre Dame came back with a strong fourth quarter showing to keep the visitors at bay.
 
"Our team has a lot of experience so it has been easier this season to regroup and get focused," head coach Lauren Macer said. "They have worked hard this season in games like this to play all four quarters and know it's not over until the final buzzer."
 
A big contributor to the fourth quarter push, and game overall, was forward Jen Oduho. Oduho was responsible for 10 of the team's 26 points in the final 10 minutes, with three field goals (including two three-pointers) and an assist. Oduho led the team in scoring with 22 points, making 10 of her 13 attempts from the field.
 
In two games this week Oduho scored 48 points by making 21 of her 24 tries (87.5 percent).
 
"It's all about getting in the gym and putting up shots," Oduho said on her recent success. "I've been trying to get in early and leave late, and that's where it's been coming from. It's been a transition from practice into the game. "
 
After making all 11 of her attempts against West Virginia Wesleyan in the previous game, the junior forward, in her debut season at NDC, carried the momentum through to Saturday.
 
"It's definitely been a confidence builder to see the ball go in, and it feels like I've gotten into a rhythm," Oduho said. "But it all starts with my teammates finding the open person and allowing me to shoot when I get open."
 
The Falcons did a nice job of spreading things around during the game, totaling 22 assists, their second-highest mark of the season.
 
Karalic was responsible for five of those assists, and has passed the ball well throughout her career. With 229 career assists, Karalic has been an impressive passer at Notre Dame.
 
"During practice we're always looking to get the best shot possible, and that plays into my skill set because I've always been a pass-first kind of player," Karalic said. "We tend to have people in the right position at the right time to get open shots, and we're always ready to knock it down."
 
Seina Adachi had a well-rounded game with 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists, leading the Falcons in the latter two categories. Adding four steals and a block, she was able to do a bit of everything.

After the game, Macer complimented Adachi's ability to get involved in a multitude of ways and said that the senior's play is a great example to others.
 
Jada Marone also scored in double digits while gathering up stats with 12 points, six rebounds, five steals and four assists.
 
Notre Dame will travel to Fairmont State on Wednesday, February 12, for a 5:30 p.m. contest.