BALTIMORE, MD – The Notre Dame of Maryland basketball team (8-9, 8-5 CSAC) suffered its first loss in over three weeks on Wednesday evening at Bryn Athyn (8-9, 7-6 CSAC) after failing to complete a 16-point comeback as time expired. The Gators were led by Ayana Brim who had her fourth double-double (21 points, 11 rebounds) of the season in the 54-52 defeat. With five regular-season games left to play, the Gators are fourth in the conference standings and two games shy of second place.  

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Brim had the touch around the rim early on. She was 8-of-10 from the floor with 17 points and six rebounds at the half.
• After the Gators stormed out to a 17-9 lead in the first quarter, Bryn Athyn took control of the game in the second, using the home crowd to their advantage for the first time since the CSAC spectator ban was lifted.  
• Outside of the points created in the paint by post players the offense struggled to get going through the third. 
• In the final period, the Gators shots started to fall through as the Lions 16-point lead started to dwindle down the stretch. 
• Bethani Newbold deep ball with under a minute to play got Notre Dame within one point but Bryn Athyn would ultimately get the conference victory 54-52.

OF NOTE

• Clarks Summit (17-3, 13-0 CSAC) has clinched the number one overall seed in the CSAC tournament.
• Alexis Durham had a game-high seven assists. She remains second in the league and is now seven shy of tying Dania Taylor (2016-17) for the program single-season assist lead.  
• Daija Fitchett finished with eight points, 19 boards, and four blocks. The Gators outrebounded Bryn Athyn 52-45. 
• Gators drop to 4-4 all-time against the Lions.

UP NEXT
Notre Dame (Md.) is back in action this Saturday, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m. against Clarks Summit. Watch and follow live stats at Notredamegators.com. Follow the basketball program on Twitter and Instagram (@NDMGatorSports) and catch all things Gators on the Gators Network.