BALTIMORE, Md. – Notre Dame wrapped up their conference week at home Saturday against Colonial States Athletic Conference opponent, Centenary University. In another close game for Notre Dame, a last second score by the Cyclones kept them out of the win column falling, 57-54.
In the first quarter, the Gators started off slow, falling to a 6-0 hole. Freshman
Vanessa Dunn downed her first of three three-pointers for the game to but the lead in half. On NDMU's next possession, sophomore
Adrianna Fletcher tied up the game off another three, 6-6.
The first three scores for the Gators in the first quarter came from beyond the arc, when Fletcher downed her second three to give Notre Dame a 9-6 lead with just under three minutes left. NDMU went into the second quarter with a narrow 13-11 lead.
In a slow scoring second quarter for both the Cyclones and Notre Dame, the game saw three tied scores and two lead changes. The Gators again went into the halftime with a slim lead, 20-29.
To open the third quarter, Dunn scored another three, assisted by Fletcher to give the Gators a 23-19 lead. The Cyclones held NDMU scoreless over the next four minutes, going on an 11-0 run to retake the lead. Notre Dame scored eight in the final three minutes, but went into the fourth down seven, 38-31.
The Gators came into the fourth quarter ready to battle. In the opening two minutes, NDMU put up eight unanswered points to regain their lead. A late run by the Cyclones held the Gators to just a free-throw, charging again to an eight-point lead, 50-42 with three minutes left.
A layup by freshman
Daija Fitchett snapped the Centenary run as Notre Dame battled back. A pair of layups and free-throws helped get the Gators back within two points with just over two minutes left in regulation.
Notre Dame stayed in it, taking shot for shot against Centenary. With 13 seconds left, Fletcher posted a jumper to tie the game up at 54 all. On the opposite end, with one second on the clock, the Cyclones scored in the lane with a foul from the Gators to take the lead. The made free-throw put the game out of reach, the Gators falling, 57-54.
Three players scored double-figures against the Cyclones, led by Dunn with 14. She tallied 14 points and three three-pointers. She also finished with eight rebounds and two assists.
Fletcher also scored three threes', finishing with 13 points. She had a game-leading, five steals and added two assists.
Senior
Justice Walrath continues to lead the offense posting six of the team's 16 assists. She is averaging 5.6 assists over her last three games. She also posted 11 points, with three field goals and going 4-for-5 from the free-throw line.
Fitchett paced with team with 12 rebounds, followed by Walrath with nine. Fitchett also added eight points and went 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Gators have two conference match ups next week, first on Wednesday at home against Keystone College. On Saturday, they will travel to Cedar Crest College for a 1:00 p.m. game.
