ERIE, Pa. – Scoring their most points since Feb. 12, 2020, the Notre Dame College women's basketball team (1-0) stormed out of the gates during their season-opening victory over Clarion (0-1), 93-83. Four Falcons scored in double-figures led by Lilee Carlson's team-high 18 points on an efficient 7-8 shooting from the field
 
The first quarter began slow with several lead changes as the score read 10-6 Clarion with 5:53 to play. However, Kennadi Harris, Lilee Carlson and Cencere McDaniel quickly worked the contest back in favor of NDC 12-10 at the halfway point in the frame (5:01). Clarion moved back in front 23-16, until Cencere McDaniel beat the buzzer, 23-18.
 
The CU lead grew to 32-24 at the 7:18 mark in the second quarter. Next, Notre Dame once again answered with a quick 11-2 run to snag a 35-34 edge with 4:42 left until the half. The Falcons continued to grow their lead into the halftime break as Karli Anker converted a fancy three-point play to put NDC up 43-39.
 
Despite shooting 1-8 from three during the first half, the Falcons caught fire in the third quarter and shot 6-11 from beyond the arch. Following a pair of threes by Carlson and Mallory Hullinger, Harris converted a jumper to gift NDC a double-digit lead with 6:25 left in the period. Clarion responded and trimmed the Falcon lead to two, before Notre Dame put their foot down. With less than a minute to play in the third, Notre Dame opened their largest lead of the game at 13 as Makaiya Thomas netted a three. After scoring 29 points in the period, NDC took a 72-61 edge into the fourth.
 
The Falcons played a steady fourth quarter as the NDC lead remained between eight and 13 points for the entire frame. Notre Dame battled through 11 lead changes over the course of the contest before anchoring down to control the final stanza and win the season-opener 93-83.
 
Four Falcons posted double figures, led by Carlson's team-high 18 points on an efficient 7-8 shooting from the floor and 3-4 shooting from three-point range. Carlson was joined by Rachel Richardson (17), Harris (14) and Hullinger (12) in double-digits, as Noel Weather and Cencere McDaniel chipped in eight apiece.
 
Harris added a game-high six assists, as Carlson dished out three to facilitate the team.
 
On the glass, Weathers corralled a game-high 12 rebounds, alongside Carlson with seven and Anker with five.
 
As a team, Notre Dame shot 36-81 (44.4%) from the floor, 9-26 (34.6%) from three and 12-18 (66.7%) from the free throw line. NDC added 49 rebounds, 17 assists, eight steals and four blocks.
 
The Notre Dame College women's basketball team will be back in action tomorrow Saturday Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m. against Gannon University.