FROSTBURG, MD – A key first quarter and all-around performance by the Falcons on Wednesday evening, powered a perfect start to the new year for the Notre Dame College women's basketball team (4-9, 3-4 MEC). NDC downed the Frostburg State Bobcats on the road 69-59, to remain undefeated in their series history (7-0).
 
Wasting no time, senior Marina Adachi sank a three-pointer 17 seconds into the contest after freshman Peyton Wells found her open via a flare screen. The quick basket gave Notre Dame the momentum needed to maintain the lead for the entire contest.
 
Impressively, NDC was able to grow their lead to double-digits (16-6) at the 4:37 mark following redshirt sophomore Alana Ellis' three-pointer. The Falcons carried their 10-point lead into the second period (23-13), as freshman Cencere McDaniel generated a steal and score with less than a minute remaining in the opening quarter.
 
Adachi began the second quarter like the first, sinking a three-point basket five seconds into the frame, giving the Falcons their largest lead thus far (26-13).
 
However, Frostburg State offered resistance in the form of a 9-1 run to cut the Notre Dame lead to 27-22 at the seven-minute mark.
 
NDC regained their footing less than five minutes later after an Adachi made jumper (37-24). The Falcons carried a 39-27 lead into the intermission.
 
Again, beginning the third quarter quick was Notre Dame College with another three-point basket, this time by sophomore Karli Anker (42-27). NDC led 59-47 with 10 minutes to play, following a back-and-forth period.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Falcons were able to maintain a 14-point advantage (65-51) with 4:46 left to play, after Ellis netted a jumper.
 
Next, the Bobcats produced an 8-0 run, cutting the NDC lead to 65-59 with 1:19 remaining. Despite a late FSU push, Notre Dame led for the entire 40-minutes of play, sealing the deal 69-59 on the road.
 
Leading the Notre Dame College offense on the night was Ellis with a team-high 18 points. She was joined by Adachi and freshman Noel Weathers who scored 13 points apiece. Ellis and Adachi combined to shoot 5-10 from behind the arc.
 
Junior Lizzie Imrie tallied nine points and a team-high 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
 
Joining Imrie on the glass was Weathers and junior Nadia Jackson who cleaned seven boards apiece. Jackson ties a career-high with the rebounding effort.
 
As a team, Notre Dame shot 25-62 (40.3%) from the field, 6-20 (30.0%) from three and 13-22 (59.1%) from the free throw line. In comparison, Frostburg State posted 23-72 (31.9%) from the floor, 2-19 (10.5%) from the three-point line and 11-20 (55.0%) from the charity stripe.
 
The Notre Dame College women's basketball team will be back in action on Saturday Jan. 7 for a 2 p.m. contest against Fairmont State University inside Murphy Gymnasium.