SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Facing their largest deficit of the game (11) with 8:27 to play in the third quarter, the Notre Dame College women's basketball team (6-16, 5-11 MEC) outscored Davis & Elkins College (5-15, 5-11 MEC) 44-30 over the final 18 minutes of play, to earn a 76-73 victory inside Murphy Gymnasium. Several Falcons posted career-high scoring efforts, led by senior Marina Adachi's 30 points.
 
"I am proud of the fight our team showed today," stated head coach Imani Gordon. "We were trailing the whole game and found a way to execute down the stretch and pull it out."
 
Early back and forth action, gave way to an 11-0 Senator run, moving D&E in front 17-7 with 2:49 to play in the first. The period concluded with Davis & Elkins leading 20-13.
 
In the second quarter, D&E continued to maintain a double-digit advantage (29-19) with 6:09 remaining in the half. The Falcons responded with a 14-3 run, powered by a pair of Adachi three-point field goals to close out the quarter. Following a layup at the buzzer, Davis & Elkins led 37-23 at the break.
 
The Senators came out of the half with five quick points, posting their largest lead of the game (43-32) with 8:27 to play in the third. Despite a continued battle, Davis & Elkins carried a 58-51 advantage into the final frame.
 
On the first possession of the fourth quarter, senior Amil Ali-Shakir found Adachi for another three-point field goal, cutting the Senator's lead to four (58-54). Adachi's strong played continued by scoring the Falcons first seven points of the period, pulling NDC to within three (61-58) with 8:33 left to play.
 
Following a pair of Ali-Shakir free throws to tie the game, Adachi continued to take over the contest, as the Attica, Ohio native poured in 14 of her career-high 30 points during the final frame. Notre Dame outscored Davis & Elkins 25-15 in the fourth quarter, erasing a double-digit second half deficit to win 76-73 at home.
 
"I think everybody who played today helped us in some way," mentioned Gordon happily. "With Alana, our leading scorer out, Mallory, Marina and Noel stepped up for us offensively. Today was a great team win!"
 
Adachi's career day (30) was highlighted by 4-8 shooting from beyond the arc and 8-8 shooting from the free throw line. The Seneca East High School product is the second NDC Falcon to register 30+ points this season, joining teammate Alana Ellis' 35 point game vs. West Virginia Wesleyan back on Dec. 10.
 
The senior was joined by a pair of freshmen on the offensive side of the ball, in Noel Weathers and Mallory Hullinger. Weathers tied her career-high from earlier this season with 17 points, along with Hullinger who notched a career-best with 14 points in the contest.
 
Ali-Shakir chipped in eight points, while bringing down a season-high five rebounds. Weathers also joined in on the rebounding effort with a team-high five boards.
 
As a unit, Notre Dame generated a season-best 20 assists in the game, led by sophomore Lilee Carlson's season-high five dimes. Imrie followed with four, as Adachi and Hullinger dished out three apiece. For Hullinger, she sets another career-high with the mark.
 
The Flacons shot 23-58 (39.7%) from the floor, 10-24 (41.7%) from three and 20-23 (87.0%) from the free throw line. NDC posted season-highs with 10 three-pointers made and an .870 free throw percentage.
 
Notre Dame benefited off of Davis & Elkins turnovers throughout the contest, winning the battle seven to 20.
 
The Notre Dame College women's basketball team will be back in action on Wednesday February 8 at 5:30 p.m. when the Falcons travel to Fairmont State University.