HARRISBURG, Pa. — Notre Dame basketball faced Penn State Harrisburg Saturday afternoon in their first game of their weekend tournament. Playing the host Nittany Lions, the Gators fell after starting off strong, 65-45.
 
The Nittany Lions were the first to get on the board, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the opening seconds. Senior Justine Mudiay got the Gators back to even, downing her only free throws of the game.
 
On the Gators next possession, Mudiay gave Notre Dame the lead, posting a lay up assisted by senior Justice Walrath.
 
The Nittany Lions and Gators traded point through the next two minute. PSU posted back-to-back scores to take a 5-point lead. In the final seconds, the Gators cut the lead to one, going into the second half down, 14-13.
 
In the second quarter, the Nittany Lions turned on the pressure, out scoring the Gators, 23-6. Despite playing evenly with PSU in the third and fourth quarters, NDMU could not make up 18-point first half deficit.
 
Mudiay lead the Gators in scoring, posting 13 points. She was 5-for-8 from the floor with one three-pointer and three assists.
 
Freshman Daija Fitchett posted a season-high, nine points while also recording nine rebounds.
 
Sophomores Keyeria Dawson and Adrianna Fletcher each tallied six points, with half of Fletcher's points coming from the free throw line.
 
Sophomore Jaya Green led the team in the boards, finishing with eight.
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Gators will play in the consolation game tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. versus either York (N.Y.) or Mary Baldwin.