BALTIMORE- The Notre Dame of Maryland University women's basketball team powered past Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) opponent Keystone College, defeating the Giants by a score of 75-51 on Thursday Jan. 5 in the MBK Sports Complex.  
 
Kori People led all scorers, finishing with 16 points. Alexis Durham posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Daija Fitchett made a major impact on the boards, pulling in 15 rebounds. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gators (9-3 overall, 5-0 CSAC) grabbed an early lead, using a 14-0 run to take an 11-point lead. Alexis Jones sparked the offense connecting on a pair of layups. Amya Durham capped off the run by connecting on a 3-pointer. 
 
Keystone (4-8 overall, 3-2 CSAC) tried to climb back into the game early in the second quarter, capitalizing on a 7-2 run. Ayana Brim halted the run with a layup in the paint. Kori People then drilled a 3-pointer, extending the advantage back to 11. The Gators scored the next six points, stretching the lead to 17. Bethani Newbold heated up in the final minute of the quarter, scoring the final four points of the half to give NDMU a 38-20 lead at the break. 
 
The teams traded baskets throughout the first five minutes of the third quarter. Michel Rivera helped the Gators pull away, drilling a 3-pointer. The Giants would not go away, scoring five of the final seven points of the quarter, but the Gators still led 55-39 going to the fourth quarter. Free throws were key down the stretch for NDMU, as the Gators were 16-19 at the free throw line in the final quarter. NDMU's defense kept Keystone from making one final push, never letting the Giants get within 16 points in the final quarter.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• People finished the game 6-14 from the floor, scoring 16 points
• Durham filled the stat sheet with 13 points, 10 rebounds and four assists
• The Gators held a massive advantage in second chance points (20-2).
• Newbold reached double figures with 11 points
• NDMU's relentless defense allowed the team to have a 33-4 edge in points off turnovers
• Fitchett cleaned the boards, finishing with 15 rebounds
• The Gators bench chipped in with 24 points
• The Giants were led by Riley Berry who scored 13 points

 
WHO'S NEXT
The Gators will close out the busy week with a trip to Valley Forge for a matchup with the Patriots on Saturday, Jan. 7. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.