SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Holding their opponent to a season-low 51 points, the Notre Dame College women's basketball team (1-3, 1-0 MEC) began conference play on the right foot, by defeating Wheeling University (2-1, 0-1 MEC) 55-51 on Saturday afternoon. Redshirt sophomore Alana Ellis turned in a game-high and season-high 22 points in the win.
 
Senior Amil Ali-Shakir began the contest red hot by registering the first seven Falcon points. After a Karli Anker bucket, Ali-Shakir totaled another basket, pushing NDC up 11-8 (4:27) behind her nine points scored. The remainder of the frame would be back and forth until WU led 17-16 after one.
 
The Falcons ramped up their defensive intensity during the second quarter by only surrendering nine Cardinal points. After claiming the period 13-9, NDC posted a 29-26 lead at the half.
 
The third quarter started slow, as WU tallied the first points of the second half on a pair of free throws at the 7:34 mark. NDC registered their first points of the third quarter at the 5:11 mark after Anker made a pair of free throws, giving Notre Dame a 31-30 advantage. Rounding out the third quarter was sophomore Lilee Carlson who went on a run by scoring eight straight Falcon points, and ensuring the contest was tied 39-39 heading into the fourth.
 
Carlson carried the momentum into the fourth quarter, by netting her 10^th consecutive NDC point, giving Notre Dame a 41-39 lead. Ellis continued the Falcon run to 12-0 as she made a three-pointer to put Notre Dame in front 49-39, their largest lead of the game. NDC held on to the lead for the remainder of the contest, winning 55-51.
 
As aforementioned, Ellis paced the team with a game-high and season-high 22 points. She was joined by Carlson who had 13 and Ali-Shakir who scored nine.
 
Carlson also dished out a team-high three assists.
 
On the glass, junior Lizzie Imrie grabbed a team-high and season-high six rebounds, followed by Carlson and Ellis who each nabbed five.
 
Ali-Shakir had active hands on defense by swiping a season-high four steals.
 
In a contest that featured 11 lead changes and three ties, the Falcons shot 20-51 (39.2%) from the field, 6-18 (33.3%) from three and 9-15 (60.0%) from the free throw line. The Cardinals posted 20-62 (32.3%) from the floor, 4-27 (14.8%) from three and 7-11 (63.6%) from the charity stripe.
 
The Notre Dame College women's basketball team will be back in action on Tuesday Nov. 22 when the Falcons travel to West Liberty University at 5:30 p.m.