Harrisonburg, Va.- The Notre Dame of Maryland Women's Basketball team picked up their first win of the season, rallying from a first half deficit to defeat Eastern Mennonite University by a score of 70-64 on Saturday, November 12. In their first road test of the season, Alexis Durham and Kori People stepped up in a major way with each player scoring over 20 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening quarter was sloppy with the teams combining to commit 14 turnovers. The Gators (1-1 Overall) grabbed their first lead of the game when Alexis Durham came away with a steal and found Kori People in transition of an easy layup. The Royals (1-1 Overall) answered, going on a 10-0 run to close the quarter, taking a 16-8 lead.
 
People looked to steady the Gators' offense early in the second quarter, hitting the team's first 3-pointer. Durham then found Bethani Newbold for a jump start, cutting the deficit down to three. Later in the quarter, Ayana Brim capitalized on a Newbold offensive rebound, finishing a layup in the paint to take a two-point lead. The teams traded the lead back-and-forth with Daija Fitchett hitting free throw to tie the game 24 midway through the quarter. People put the Gators in front, drilling her second three-pointer of the game. The Royals recaptured the lead, going on a 6-0 run to grab a five-point advantage. Amya Durham gave the Gators some momentum going into the half, hitting a jump shot just before the end of the quarter, but NDMU trailed 36-33 at the break.  

The Gators scored the first four points of the third quarter, surging in front by one. Eastern Mennonite quickly responded, going on an 8-0 run to retake the lead. NDMU began to heat up from beyond the arc with Alexis Durham hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to pull back within three points. The Gators remained within striking distance with a Brim layup tying the game at 50 with 1:54 remaining in the third quarter. Alexis Durham and People knocked down jump shots to give the Gators a 54-50 lead going into the final quarter. 
 
People extended the Gators lead early in the fourth quarter, hitting a 3-pointer from the wing, putting the Gators up by seven. NDMU used their defense to slow the Royals offense, and People swished a corner 3-pointer to take a 10-point lead with just over four minutes remaining in the game. NDMU executed at the free throw line down the stretch, hitting five of six free throws in the final minute, securing a 70-64 victory. 
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
    - Alexis Durham had an excellent outing, leading the Gators with 24 points going 3-9 from beyond the arc. Durham also pulled in eight rebounds and dished five assists
    - Kori People continued her outstanding start to the season, scoring 21 points while hitting four times from beyond the arc
    - Daija Fitchett had a huge impact on the glass, pulling in 22 rebounds
    - Ayana Brim reached double figures, scoring 10 points
    - The Gators dominated the battle on the glass, holding a 52-41 advantage in rebounds
    - The Royals were led in scoring by Trinity Washington, who scored 13 points
 
WHO'S NEXT
The Gators will travel to face local NCAA Division I foe, Morgan State on Monday, November 14 at 1:00 p.m. in an exhibition game that does not count toward their overall record.