Box Score Baltimore, Md. – The Notre Dame of Maryland University basketball team picked up an opening day victory over University of Valley Forge, 74-66.

The Gators were led in scoring by sophomore Justine Mudiay who recorded a career high, 19 points, going 3-4 from beyond the arc.  Junior Stephanie Roche also notched three three-pointers in the game, ending the night with 16 points, going 5-6 from the free throw line.  Junior Zaria Comer recorded her first double-double of the season, posting 10 points and 10 rebounds with four blocks, while junior Ashley Guy lead the team with 11 rebounds and four steals.  As a team, Notre Dame shot 67% from the free-throw line and had 45 rebounds, 13 assists, and 10 steals.  In the team victory, every Gator recorded points and rebounds. 

Notre Dame jumped out to an early 10-0 lead over Valley Forge, holding the Patriots to only four points through the first three and a half minutes of play.  The first quarter would come to a close after a layup by Guy, with the Gators holding a 12-point lead, 26-14.

To open the second quarter, junior Dania Taylor would post her first points from the floor, putting Notre Dame up 14.  The Gators would hold the Patriots to two points over four minutes of the second quarter and with 2:22 left in the first half a layup by Comer would see Notre Dame with their largest lead of the night at 21, 40-19.  Valley Forge would score four points to close out the second quarter, with Notre Dame going into halftime with a 40-24 lead.

In the third quarter, the Gators and Patriots would trade points.  With three minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Patriots would get within eight points of the Gators, but Notre Dame would go on a 9-0 to close out the frame.  Guy would score the last points of the quarter off a pass from Roche, Notre Dame heading into the fourth quarter with a 17-point lead, 61-44.

Valley Forge would hold Notre Dame to just two points over the first seven minutes to open the fourth quarter, getting within four points with just three minutes left in the game.  Taylor would snap the 2-13 run by the Patriots, notching a layup with just under three minutes to play, followed by a three-pointer by Roche assisted by sophomore Justice Walrath.  In the final three minutes of play, the Gators would hold the Patriots to just five points to help secure their victory.  Notre Dame would hold on to win their first game of the season over Valley Forge, 74-66.

The Gators return to action as they will host the Notre Dame Tip-Off Tournament this weekend.  Notre Dame hosts Ohio Wesleyan University, Friday, November 18 at 6:00 p.m.  For more information about the Tip-Off Tournament, click here.