FAIRMONT W.Va. – A career-night for several NDC Falcons, propels Notre Dame College (8-11, 7-7 MEC) to an 84-73 win at Fairmont State (11-8, 9-5 MEC). Sophomore Alana Ellis totaled a game-high and career-high 31 points, fueled by five three-pointers (5-7 3FG), another career best. In addition, freshman Lilee Carlson continues an impressive rookie campaign by grabbing a career-high seven rebounds, while junior Amil Ali-Shakir dished out a game-high five assists which ties her career mark.
 
In the first quarter, Notre Dame got off to a fast start by getting ahead 8-4 after back-to-back Ellis three-pointers at the 7:07 mark. The two sides would exchange baskets at an up-tempo pace for the remainder of the quarter, as Fairmont State led 23-20. Ellis contributed a quick 14 points on 5-7 shooting (3-3 3FG) from the floor during the period to hold NDC afloat.
 
In the second quarter, both Falcon squads continued to battle it out with a relentless exchange of buckets. Fairmont State would hold a narrow lead of no more than five points for the entirety of the period with both sides again scoring 20+ points in the stanza. FSU's Jalen Gibbs netted a layup at the buzzer to give Fairmont State the 22-20 advantage during the ten minutes, and a 45-40 lead at the break.
 
In the first half, FSU out-rebounded NDC 17-12, while also besting NDC in the turnover battle 8-5.
 
"We made some adjustments today." Stated head coach Imani Gordon, "In the beginning they were killing us on the boards and we weren't getting consecutive stops. In the second half we were aggressive on both ends."
 
In the second half and to Gordon's point, Notre Dame made the necessary adjustments to mount the second-half comeback on the road against a dangerous Fairmont State team. In the third quarter, NDC outscored FSU 20-13 and grabbed their first lead (51-50), since it was 8-6 in the first quarter. The NDC Falcons polished off the quarter up 60-58, after out-rebounding the FSU Falcons 11-6 during the period.
 
When it mattered most, Gordon and the Falcons dug their talons into the ground and went to work. Notre Dame held Fairmont State scoreless from the 7:37 mark until there was 1:18 remaining in the game. During that time, NDC mounted an 11-0 run to soar ahead of FSU 76-64. The team from South Euclid would add the finishing touches to the contest with late free throws and earn a much-needed win, 84-73. Moreover, 84 points scored is a new season-high for Notre Dame
 
"I was proud of how we fought together today!" Exclaimed Gordon, "We needed this win bad and they fought to the very end!"
 
Behind Notre Dame's season-high in points was the aforementioned Ellis with a career-high 31 points, followed by Tamia Ridley (ties season-high) and Marina Adachi (ties season-high) with 16, and Carlson with ten. Furthermore, Ellis shot an efficient and effective 5-7 from three-point land (career-high), while Adachi contributed 3-6 from deep and Ridley converted 7-10 from the field.
 
When asked about the sophomore's career-high 31 points, Gordon had this to say, "Alana started off hot for us. We knew it was coming one of these games because she's been off the last couple [games]. She gets us going! She goes on runs all by herself!"
 
NDC shot 30-61 (49.2%) from the field and a scorching 9-19 (47.4%) from three during the contest to ensure 20+ points scored in all four quarters. Moreover, Notre Dame out-shot Fairmont State in both categories as FSU shot 28-72 (38.9%) from the floor and 8-26 (30.8%) from three.
 
In addition, Ridley grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds to post her eighth double-double of the season. Carlson also aided on the glass with a career-high seven boards. Amil Ali-Shakir contributed an all-around performance with four points, four rebounds and a game-high five assists (ties career best).
 
Ridley and company totaled 26 second-half rebounds to win NDC the rebounding battle 38-33.
 
Notre Dame College will be back in action on Wednesday Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m. when the Falcons welcome West Virginia Wesleyan College into South Euclid, Ohio.