Balancing act
Five Falcons post double figures in 95-84
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SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio –The Notre Dame Women’s squad pulled off an impressive balancing act Wednesday in defeating the visiting Northwestern Ohio Lady Racers for a second time this season, 95-84.  Three NDC players posted 20-point games, and all five starters notched double figures as the Falcons won their sixth consecutive game.  The victory reprised NDC’s earlier win this season over UNOH in Lima (77-67, Dec. 4).

Molly Baker (Jr/Avon Lake, OH), Jamie Henry (Jr/Garfield Heights, OH), and Yvette Hunter (Fr/Jamestown, NY) combined to score 71 points on 26-of-39 shooting (66.7 percent).  Baker’s 27 led the Falcons, who scored 90 points for the fourth time this season.

In the opening stanza, both squads came out firing on all cylinders.  Northwestern Ohio (4-14) connected on nine of their first 15 shot attempts, and Notre Dame hit on 10 of their first 20, as the two squads were essentially trading baskets.
NDC pulled ahead, however, with a 16-5 run between the 12 and 8-minute marks.  The Falcons motored ahead of the Lady Racers with solid passing and balanced play.  The Falcons, as a team, dished out 12 assists in the first while committing just three turnovers.  All five starters for NDC scored seven or more points in the opening frame, with Molly Baker leading the way with 15.

Notre Dame (14-3, 5-0) took a 10-point lead (51-41) into their locker room at halftime, despite UNOH shooting 55.2 percent (16-for-29) in the period.
In the second, the Lady Racers pulled to within three (71-68) by 8:45.  UNOH’s Krissy Koester (Fr/Wapakoneta) ignited the visitors’ effort – she scored 24 in the second.  For the game, the 6-foot newcomer stuffed the stat sheet with 36 points and seven rebounds.

Notre Dame’s Ashley Carney (Jr/Solon, OH) hit a trey at the five minute mark to rebuild the Falcon lead to 10, 86-76.

NDC got to the foul line to finish out the win against UNOH.  For the game, the Falcons attempted 25 foul shots.  They connected on 19 (76.0 percent). 
For the game, Notre Dame’s starters accounted for 93 of their 95 points. Baker’s 27 were backed up by Henry and Hunter, who each scored 22 points.  NDC other two starters Amanda Brown (So/Vienna, VA) and Ashley Carney (Jr/Solon, OH) scored 12 and 10 points, respectively.  Hunter led NDC in rebounds, with six.  The

Lady Racers out-rebounded the Falcons, 40-32.

Both teams shot well in the game; UNOH shot 50.0 percent (35-for-70), NDC shot 51.5 percent (35-for-68).

The win for Notre Dame continues what has been a hot January for the Falcons.  The squad has now rattled off six straight wins and is now 6-0 in January.

Notre Dame will put that winning streak on the line Friday, when they host Carlow University (PA) at Murphy Gymnasium.  First tip in the AMC tilt is slated for 7:00pm.  Starting Friday, all of the Falcons’ remaining games are in-conference.

NOTES FROM THE NEST…

HALF A HUNDRED:   In the first half Wednesday, Notre Dame scored 50 points in a half for the fourth time this season.  NDC shot 45.5 percent (20-for-44) from the field, and went 8-of-12 (66.7 percent) from the line… On the season, NDC ranks among the tops in the nation in scoring.  The Falcons came into the game ranked second in the AMC and 11th in the country in scoring, at 78.2 points per game.  NDC scored a season-high 102 points on Nov. 13 (vs. Temple Baptist).

WHAT’S YOUR 20?:  With Baker, Henry, and Hunter scoring 20 points Wednesday against Northwestern Ohio, the Falcons have now had 18 20-point games this season.  Baker leads the team with seven such outings.  Ashley Carney has six.  Hunter now has three 20-point games.  Jamie Henry and Amanda Brown each have one.