BALTIMORE, Md. – The Notre Dame basketball team in Colonial States Athletic Conference playoff bound on Monday after defeating Clarks Summit University Saturday afternoon, 54-42.
The Gators started off slow against the Defenders, climbing back from a four-point deficit late in the first. A five-point run by NDMU to close out the first saw the Gators go into the second with a narrow lead, 11-10.
Notre Dame did not give up the lead again against CSU, seeing their largest lead with 3:30 left in the third, 40-23. The Gators took their 10
th conference win of the season, 54-42.
Freshman
Daija Fitchett scored her fifth double-double of the season, notching 18 points and a career-high, 16 rebounds. She was an impressive 9-for-18 from the floor, adding two blocks.
Sophomore
Keyeria Dawson also had a standout game for the Gators, posting 16 points. She was two points shy of her career-high. She also posted eight rebounds which tied her season-high.
The Gators reeled in 50 rebounds, their fifth game this season with 50 or more in a game. They also finished with 14 rebounds and nine steals.
Prior to the start of the game, seniors
Justine Mudiay and
Justice Walrath were honored. Walrath led the team with six assists and averaging 5.12 assist per game over her last eight games. She also finished with seven points and five rebounds. Mudiay notched one of the team's two three-pointers, finishing with five points, four rebounds, and three assists.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Gators are in the CSAC playoffs for the first time in team history since joining the conference in the 2007-08 season. They finished the regular season ranked third in the conference with a 10-6 regular season conference record. This is also the first time that the Gators finished the regular season over .500 at 13-12 since the 2006-07 season (18-7).
NDMU will host the CSAC Quarterfinals on Monday versus Wilson College at 7:00 p.m. During the regular season, the Gators split with the Phoenix (1-1), defeating them at home on January 10, 58-55 and falling this week, 49-54.
