BALTIMORE, Md. – The #3 seed Notre Dame basketball team hosted #6 seed Wilson College Monday evening in the first round of the Colonial States Athletics Conference Playoffs.  The Gators battled tough with the Phoenix, but a slow second half, cut their playoff run short falling, 47-37.

In the first half, NDMU came out strong, with senior Justine Mudiay downing a three-pointer to open scoring for the Gators.  After holding the lead through the first five minutes, the Phoenix tied up the game at seven apiece. 

After a jumper by sophomore Keyeria Dawson with four minutes left in the first, a three-point play by Wilson gave them their first lead at 10-9.  They held the lead for over three minute before a jumper by freshman Vanessa Dunn took back the Gators lead, 11-10.  A late free-throw by Wilson saw the score tied going into the second quarter.

The second quarter was Notre Dame's most efficient quarter of the game.  In the second, the Gators went on a 12-3 run through the first seven minutes to take their largest lead of the game at 23-14. After taking their nine-point lead, the Phoenix closed out the half going on a 6-0 run to cut the lead three.  The Gators went into halftime up, 23-20.

Notre Dame struggled to find the basket in the second half, getting outscored 27-14. 

Freshman Daija Fitchett finished the game with a career-high 17 rebounds, beating her previously record set last week against Clarks Summit.  She also led the team in points, tallying 10 for her sixth double-double of the season and fifth in six games. 

Earlier today is was announced the Fitchett was named to the Second Team All-CSAC, the highest for the program in CSAC history.

Dunn finished the game with nine points, posting one of three three-pointer and adding three field goals from the floor.

Dawson posted eight points against the Phoenix, adding seven rebounds and three assists.

Notre Dame's CSAC All-Sportsmanship Team representative, Justine Mudiay notched eight points, scoring the team's first and last points for the Gators in her final game as a Gator.  Both scores were from beyond the arc, while adding a jumper from the field.  She also posted two steals and a rebound.

Senior Justice Walrath, while not netting any points for Notre Dame, led the Gators with three assists and a game-leading four steals.  She also reeled in eight rebounds, one shy of her season-high.

Notre Dame's 2018-19 season was a season of firsts.  They recorded their best CSAC record at 10-6 and finished the regular season at .500 (13-13), the first time since 2006-07.  They earned their first CSAC Playoff berth.  They earned their first CSAC home playoff game.  They had a student-athlete named to the Second Team All-CSAC, the highest ranking in program history.  They had more than two players earn postseason honors (Fitchett, Fletcher, Mudiay). 

While the Gators lose two irreplaceable seniors, they have a core of promising underclassman ready to carry on their legacy.