St Mary's City, MD- The Notre Dame (MD) women's basketball team dropped a highly competitive game to St. Mary's College of Maryland by a score of 53-50 on Saturday, December 10. The Gators offense was led by Kori People, who finished the game 14 points. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gators (6-3 overall, 3-0 CSAC) round their rhythm midway through the first quarter, when Daija Fitchett scored three consecutive layups in the paint, giving NDMU an 8-6 lead. The Gators high pressure defense created several turnovers, with Kori People finishing a layup on a fast break to put the Gators up by four. With over a minute left in the quarter, Alexis Durham knocked down a 3-pointer. The Gators then forced a turnover, with People finishing a layup to put the Gators ahead by six. The Seahawks (5-3 overall, 1-0 United East) scored the final basket of the quarter, but NDMU led 17-13 going to the second quarter. 
 
Alexis Jones started the scoring in the second quarter, putting back an offensive rebound. St. Mary's battled back going on a 5-0 run to close back within a single point. Chantel Curry drove to the basket, drawing a foul and completing a three-point play. The Seahawks continued to push the pace, going on a 7-2 run to grab a two-point lead. The teams traded layups in final minutes of the half, with St. Mary's taking a three-point lead. With the clock running down, Durham swished a 3-pointer from the wing to tie the score at 30 going into the half. 
 
People started the second half by finishing two straight layups, giving NDMU a four-point lead. Ayana Brim extended the lead to six, scoring her first basket of the game. The defenses locked down, with neither team scoring for over minutes. St. Mary's made a run just before the end of the third quarter, hitting two three-pointers to pull within three, 41-38, going in the fourth quarter. 
 
People again opened the scoring, this time connecting on a jump shot from just outside the paint. After the Seahawks battled back to tie the game at 43, Durham drilled a 3-pointer from the wing. People extended the lead hitting her first 3-pointer of the game. St. Mary's kept fighting back, using 6-0 run to recapture a late lead. The Gators had one final chance, but could not tie the game, falling 53-50. 
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- People scored a team high 14 points on 6-15 shooting from the field
- Fitchett had an excellent first half, scoring 10 of her 11 points. She finished the game with seven rebounds
- Durham reached double figures, scoring 11 points. She also added six assists
- Jones made an impact off the bench, scoring seven points
- St. Mary's won the battle on the glass, holding a 50-45 edge in rebounds
- The Seahawks were led by Karon Williams, who finished the game with 24 points
 
WHO'S NEXT
The Gators will play their final game in 2022 when they host Goucher College in the MBK Sports Complex on Saturday, December 17 at 12:00 p.m.
 
FOLLOW US
Fans can keep up with NDMU Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using the handle @ndmgatorsports.