SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Junior Karli Anker stayed red hot from the floor, as sophomore Cencere McDaniel provided a spark off the bench for Notre Dame College (6-14, 3-10 MEC) during the 85-77 victory over Davis & Elkins College (2-16, 1-11 MEC) on Saturday afternoon inside Murphy Gymnasium. Anker registered a game-high and season-high 22 points, while McDaniel scored 17.
 
When asked about the team's approach going into the contest, head coach Lauren Macer said, "To stay disciplined on what we do. We had a game plan and we really tried to not veer off from it, and have really good team basketball."
 
In the first quarter, the Falcons fell behind 5-2 before Anker generated nine straight points on three consecutive possessions for NDC. Back-to-back three pointers, followed by an and-one layup, saw Anker single handily vault Notre Dame in front, 11-5 at the 6:04 mark. NDC led 14-11 at the 3:30 mark before generating a 12-5 run to close the quarter on top, 26-16. Anker punctuated the period by converting a four-point play from the top of the arc on an assist by Lilee Carlson.
 
The second quarter was back-and-forth as the Notre Dame's lead remained between seven and 12 points for the entire frame. Just when Davis & Elkins found momentum by cutting the Falcon lead to 34-27, McDaniel canned a three, followed up by Nadia Jackson's layup on the ensuing possession to reestablish a 39-27 edge. Notre Dame carried a 42-32 advantage into the break as the two sides were even at 16-16 in the stanza.
 
The Senators began the third period by moving within six points (42-36) at the 7:46 mark. However, Notre Dame battled back and found their groove from the first quarter, as the Falcons shot a blistering 66.7-percent (8-12) from the floor, including 75.0-percent (3-4) from three-point range in the quarter. The Falcons closed the frame on a 13-2 run over the final four minutes, to swell their lead to 20 (64-44).
 
Despite Notre Dame starting the fourth quarter strong and opening up their largest lead (67-44), Davis & Elkins continued to play hard. The Senators carved out a 25-7 run over the next six and a half minutes to pull within five points (74-69) with 3:13 left to play. Once again, NDC anchored down and made clutch free throws at the end of the contest to ensure an 85-77 victory on the home court.
 
When asked about the offense, Macer mentioned, "The fact that we had double-digit assists, is really important to our game plan. It gets everybody involved. We wanted multiple touches on offense and multiple efforts across the board for the game. I was just very proud of them for sharing the ball and finishing the plays."
 
Notre Dame tied a season-high with 17 assists in the game, including their most since Nov. 29 vs. Glenville State. Five falcons tallied multiple dimes on the day, led by a pair of season-highs from Hayley St. John and Rachel Richardson with four apiece. Kennadi Harris (3), McDaniel (2) and Carlson (2) also facilitated the offense.
 
As aforementioned, Anker paced the squad with a season-high 22 points, her second consecutive outing with a season-high. McDaniel chipped in 17, while Noel Weathers scored 14, Harris tallied 13 and Jackson registered a season-high eight.
 
On the glass, Jackson tied another season-high with five rebounds, while Weathers notched her team-leading sixth double-double of the season, hauling in a game-high 10 boards.
 
Defensively, Weathers rejected a game-high three shots, as the Mt. Healthy High School product now has 45 on the season, just three blocks away from tying Selene Rich's 48 blocks during the 1989-90 campaign.
 
As a whole, Notre Dame shot 27-54 (50.0%) from the floor, 7-19 (36.8%) from three and 24-34 (70.6%) from the free throw line. The Falcons added 33 rebounds, 17 assists, eight steals and three blocks.
 
The Notre Dame College women's basketball team will be back in action on Wednesday Feb. 7 at 5:30 p.m. as NDC will remain at home to play Concord University.