BALTIMORE, Md. – The Notre Dame basketball rang in the New Year with a 57-51 victory over Colonial States Athletic Conference opponent, Cairn University.

Late in the first quarter, the Gators battled with the Highlanders taking a narrow, 10-9 lead off a three-pointer by freshman Vanessa Dunn.

Notre Dame struggled take a lead in the second quarter, being now by six points with 46 seconds left in the half, 22-16.  Dunn against downed a three to put the Gators back within three heading into the second half.

The Gators came out strong in the third, outscoring the Highlanders, 22-8.  To open the final quarter, senior Justine Mudiay downed a jumper to help give the Gators their largest lead of the night at 13.

After chipping away at Notre Dame's lead, Cairn got back within one point off a pair of free-throw with just under four minutes to play, 48-47.

In the Gators' next possession, sophomore Jaya Green downed a jumper in the point to bump NDMU up to a 50-47 lead.  Over the next three minutes, Notre Dame went on a 7-1 run to keep the game out of reach, eventually securing a 57-51 victory.

Notre Dame sealed their third conference game of the season, moving to 3-1 in conference play and 6-6 overall.

Green notched her first career double-double recording a career-high 18 points and 12 rebounds.  She went 8-for-13 from the floor and posted two of the team's five blocks. 

From the bench, Dunn racked up nine points, draining 3-for-5 three-pointers.  Mudiay finished with eight points, going 4-for-4 from the line and posting four rebounds and two assists.

The Gators finished with 46 rebounds and 15 assists, one assist shy of their season high. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
Notre Dame will next travel to Keystone College for continued conference play on Tuesday before returning home for a CSAC game against Wilson.  These are both their first meetings of the season.