Allentown, Pa. - Notre Dame of Maryland University concluded their road schedule in a big way, defeating Cedar Crest College in a 57-54 Colonial States Athletic Conference thriller. The close contest saw nine lead changes and nine more tied scores.

In the win, Notre Dame saw four Gators notch double-figures in scoring, including one double-double. The Gators were paced by freshman ZariaComer (Leesburg, Va. Tuscarora)who recorded her ninth double-double of the season with a team high 15 points and 13 rebounds with two blocks while shooting 5-6 from the free throw line. SophomoreNaimani Staley (Silver Spring, Md. / Montgomery Blair)and freshmanAllyson Whitacre (Jarrettsville, Md. / North Harford)both recorded 13 points on the night withWhitacrenotching six steals.

FreshmanStephanie Roche (Baltimore, Md. /Perry Hall)finished the night with 12 points, and tied Staley with three three-pointers . FreshmanAshley Guy (Leonardtown, Md.)reeled in seven rebounds. As a team, the Gators tallied 30 bench points and out rebounded the Falcons, 42-31.

The first half would see back and forth action, with the teams fighting to the fifth tie of the tie, 15-15 at the 11 minute mark, before a 7-2 run by the Falcons would give the hosts the biggest lead of the game with 6:29 left in the opening frame. The seven point advantage wouldn't last long as Staley would knock in a three pointer in the next Notre Dame possession. A Roche free throw and another three by Staley would tie the game again at 24-24 with 3:22 left.

After a free throw gave the hosts the lead back, a basket by Comer, a three by Whitacre and jumper by freshman Jennifer Whiting (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall) would give the Gators their biggest lead of the game, 31-25 with 1:23 remaining in the first half. However, back-to-back baskets by Cedar Crest would reduce the Notre Dame lead to just 31-29 at the half.

Cedar Crest opened the second half with a quick basket to tie the game, but baskets by Comer and Roche would push the Gators lead back to four points. The lead would stay until a Cedar Crest three-pointer at the 11 minute mark would give the hosts their first lead of second half. A missed shot by Notre Dame was followed by an old-fashioned three pointer to give the Falcons their own four point lead.

11 seconds later, Roche would hit a three, with Comer scoring on the next Gator possession to re-take the lead for Notre Dame. Comer would then push the lead to 47-44 with 8:33 left in the game by sinking a pair of free throws.

A jumper and free throw by Cedar Crest would be the only baskets over the next five minutes to tie the score for the eighth time of the game with 3:02 remaining. Comer would give Notre Dame back the lead with a jumper and after a Falcon free throw, a layup by Staley gave the Gators another three point advantage with just over two minutes left.

Comer would answer a pair of free throws by the hosts but another three point play by Cedar Crest would tie the score again for the ninth time with 39 seconds remaining. The Gators would maintain possession for the next 20 seconds, before Comer got fouled to send her to the line for two free-throw attempts.

After sinking both, Notre Dame would foul the Falcons to send them to the line to answer, but they would only make one free throw and would have to foul in an attempt to stop the clock. With seven seconds remaining, the Gators stepped to the free throw line with a one point line. Despite missing the first of a one-and-one, Staley brought down the rebound with just five seconds remaining and would get the ball to Whitacre who got fouled.

Whitacre would miss the first free throw, but due to a lane violation committed by the hosts, would redeem herself on the bonus free throw and would go on to make both attempts to give Notre Dame a 57-54 lead with just 1.8 seconds remaining in the game. Whitacre would then steal the inbound pass to seal the game and victory for the Gators.

Notre Dame out rebounded the Falcons42-31 and posted 17 offensive rebounds in the effort and also shot 71% from the free throw while the Falcons shot just 45% from the charity stripe.

The Gators win marks the third conference victory this season and their second on the road. The team returns to action on Saturday as they will host Baptist Bible College in their annual Pink Game.