SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Sophomore Noel Weathers enjoyed a career-day during Notre Dame College's (1-3, 0-1 MEC) Mountain East Conference opener against Wheeling University (4-0, 1-0 MEC), however the Falcons fell to the Cardinals on Saturday afternoon 70-57. Weathers posted a game-high and career-high 21 points and 15 rebounds despite the loss.
 
The Falcons started the contest hot, making their first four shots to quickly lead 9-2 at the 8:22 mark. NDC pushed their advantage to double digits at the halfway point in the first quarter as Weathers knocked down a jumper (14-4). Notre Dame owned a six-point lead at the end of the first frame as Mallory Hullinger buried a three-pointer (24-18).
 
The two sides exchanged baskets to begin the second quarter as Hayley St. John gifted NDC a 28-20 edge with 7:48 remaining in the half. Next, Wheeling mounted a 13-4 run to grab their first lead at 33-32 with 2:02 before the break. Notre Dame quickly responded with back-to-back baskets from Rachel Richardson and Karli Anker, to take a narrow 36-35 advantage into half.
 
Wheeling started the second half on an 11-2 run, moving ahead 46-38 with 5:44 left in the period. WU took the frame 19-7 to lead 54-43 with 10 minutes left to play.
 
In the fourth quarter, Notre Dame pulled to within eight points (56-48) after a mini 5-0 spurt with 6:52 remaining. However, Wheeling continued to exchange baskets with NDC, winning the quarter 16-14, as the Falcons fell 70-57.
 
Notre Dame was led by Weathers game-high and career-high 21 points. Kennadi Harris chipped in 14 points on 3-4 shooting from three, as Lilee Carlson added seven and Anker tallied six.
 
Hullinger tied a career-high with three assists for NDC, while four other Falcons notched two dimes apiece.
 
On the glass, the aforementioned Weathers hauled in a game-high and career-high 15 rebounds to generate her first double-double of the season. Cencere McDaniel grabbed four boards, while Harris, Carlson and Richardson owned three each.
 
As a team, Notre Dame shot 24-60 (40.0%) from the field, 5-21 (23.8%) from three and 4-9 (44.4%) from the free throw line, to go with 36 rebounds, 13 assists, eight steals and three blocks.
 
The Notre Dame College women's basketball team will be back in action on Tuesday Nov. 21 at 5:30 p.m. at West Liberty University.