SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Redshirt sophomore Alana Ellis tallied 15 points in the third quarter as Notre Dame College (0-3) outscored Slippery Rock (2-1), 20-14 in the frame. Despite a strong third quarter effort, the Falcons fell on Wednesday evening during the home opener, 76-63.
 
In the first quarter, NDC got behind 7-2 before tying the contest at 9-9 after a made three-pointer by sophomore Karli Anker at the 3:20 mark. At the end of the period, SRU had reopened a 22-14 advantage.
 
The Falcons trailed by as many as 12 points (26-14) in the second quarter before producing a 15-5 run to cut the Rock lead to two points (31-29) with 2:41 left in the half. Junior Lizzie Imrie capped off the NDC run by scoring the final five points. However, SRU once again reestablished a double-digit lead after a 12-4 run to close out the half (43-33).
 
The third quarter began slow as the two sides managed just 12 points combined through the first 7:36 of the frame. Next, Ellis began her tear by scoring 11 straight NDC points, highlighted by a trio of three point field goals on three straight possessions. The Twinsburg, Ohio native jump started the crowd inside Murphy Gymnasium, as she single handily trimmed the SRU lead down to one point (52-51) with 1:10 remaining in the third. The final 2:24 of the frame consisted of 22 total points, as SRU held a 57-53 advantage as the game hit the fourth quarter.
 
The Rock slowly worked their lead back to double figures during the final 10 minutes, before winning 76-63.
 
Notre Dame College was led by Ellis' team-high 15 points. She was joined by Anker and Imrie who scored eight apiece, while senior Marina Adachi tallied seven.
 
Freshman Cencere McDaniel found her groove by dishing out a career-high six assists on the night.
 
Freshman Noel Weather corralled a team-high seven rebounds, followed by Ellis with six and Adachi at five.
 
As a team, NDC shot 24-65 (36.9%) from the floor, 6-23 (26.1%) from three and 9-18 (50.0%) from the free throw line.
 
The Notre Dame College women's basketball team will be back in action on Saturday Nov. 19 for the start of conference play. The Falcons will welcome Wheeling University into Murphy Gymnasium for a 2 p.m. tip-off.