Waller vs Hood
50
Hood Hood 1-9,0-0 MAC Commonwealth
53
Winner Notre Dame (MD) NDMU 7-4,4-0 United East
Hood Hood
1-9,0-0 MAC Commonwealth
50
Final
53
Notre Dame (MD) NDMU
7-4,4-0 United East
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Hood Hood 8 17 16 9 50
Notre Dame (MD) NDMU 18 17 4 14 53

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Seth Goodyear

Gators Outlast Blazers to Close Out 2023

BALTIMORE– The Notre Dame of Maryland University women's basketball team closed out 2023 with a 53-50 victory over Hood College on Saturday, December 30.  

The Gators shook off some early rust, with Amani Watts scoring four early points to take a 4-2 lead. Amya Durham hit an early 3-pointer, stretching the lead to five. Watts then completed a three-point play and Hillary Howard drilled a jump shot to make the score 12-2 midway through the opening quarter. Watts and Howard continued to dominate in the post, playing off one another, leading to six straight points to push the lead back 14 points. Hood College scored the final four points of the quarter, but NDMU led 18-8 heading to the second quarter.  

Kathryn DeGrange opened the second quarter by knocking down a jump shot to push the lead back to ten. The Blazers fought back, closing within five points with just over four minutes remaining in the half. Watts halted the run, powering in a layup. Durham then pushed the lead back to double digits scoring five-straight points. Howard and Alexis Jones hit layups in the final minutes of the quarter, sending the Gators into the break with a 35-25 advantage.  

Hood College owned the third quarter, outscoring the Gators 16-4 to rally back and take a two-point lead. NDMU battled back with Watts converting two free throws to tie the game at 41. Howard put the Gators back in front, banking a jump shot from the top of the key. Hood College answered back, retaking a 44-43 with 8:17 remaining in the game. Durham had an immediate answer, knocking down a 3-pointer to put NDMU ahead by two. After three scoreless minutes of action, Hood tied the game at 46. Sariyah Waller knocked down a 3-pointer from the corner to give the Gators the lead. Jones converted a layup and Waller knocked down a jump shot to keep the Gators ahead in the final seconds of the game. The Blazers had one last chance to win the game, but Watts blocked a 3-point attempt to secure the victory.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

  • Watts led the Gators with 17 points to go along with seven rebounds, four assists and four steals.  

  • Howard was strong in the post, scoring 12 points and dishing four assists.  

  • Durham scored 11 points, going 3-5 from beyond the arc.  

  • Bethani Newbold led the Gators in rebounds, gathering 10 loose balls. 

  • Hood College won the battle on the glass, holding 41-38 in rebounds. 

  • The Blazers were led by Chanelle Lee who scored 22 points.  

WHO'S NEXT? 
The Gators will return to CSAC play when they host Clarks Summit University in a rematch of last season's conference championship game on Wednesday, Jan. 3. The tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM.  
 
STAY CONNECTED 
Fans can keep up with NDMU Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using the handle @ndmgatorsports. 

Print Friendly Version