BALTIMORE- The Notre Dame (MD) women's basketball team made history, winning the 2023 CSAC Women's Basketball Championship, defeating #3 Clarks Summit University by a score of 83-57 on Saturday, Feb. 25. This is the Gators first CSAC Title and with the win they clinch a berth in the NCAA Championship Tournament. 
 
Ayana Brim was named as the Tournament MVP, finishing the game with 19 points on 75 percent shooting from the field. Kori People led all scorers, racking up 24 points. Alexis Jones made her presence known, scoring 13 points off the bench. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gators took an early lead, with Brim converting a pair of early layups. People then finished a layup in transition off a great pass from Alexis Durham, putting NDMU ahead 7-4. Clarks Summit rattled off seven straight points, taking their first lead of the game. Bethani Newbold halted the run, swishing a 3-pointer from the wing. Daija Fitchett put the Gators back in front, knocking down a jump shot from the foul line. The Defenders answered back, netting four points to pull ahead by three. People leveled the game at 15, drilling a 3-pointer. Durham added another jumper to give the Gators a two-point lead going into the second quarter. 
 
NDMU began to pull away in the second quarter, attacking the paint to build a 27-20 lead. Clarks Summit remained in the game, hitting a couple of timely 3-pointers. Fitchett converted a layup capping off a 6-0 run that gave the Gators their first double digit lead of the game with 3:14 to go in the half. The Defenders had pulled within seven going into the closing seconds of the quarter, but as the half expired People put back an offensive rebound, drawing a foul in the process. She made the free throw to give NDMU a 41-31 lead at the break. 
 
People started the second half with a bang, knocking down a 3-pointer and hitting a layup to give NDMU a 15-point lead. After five straight Defender points, People electrified the MBK Sports Complex, drawing contact while hitting a corner 3-pointer and completing a four-point play. Amya Durham and Fitchett each made baskets as the Gators stretched their lead to 21 points. Alexis Durham hit her first 3-pointer of the game, sparking a 9-0 run that gave NDMU a 70-43 lead going to the final frame. 
 
The Gators continued to attack the post in the fourth quarter, maintaining their advantage. Brim and Jones continued to be extremely effective getting the basket and finishing layups. NDMU prevented the Defenders from making a rally, rolling to the 83-57 victory. 
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Gators shot 44.6 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from beyond the arc
• People connected on four 3-pointers, shooting 50 percent from distance
• Alexis Durham dished 10 assists and scored seven points
• NDMU dominated the play in the paint, scoring 48 points
• The Gators dominated the glass, finishing with a 50-29 edge in rebounds
• Fitchett collected a game-high 17 rebounds and added six points
• NDMU got a huge boost from their bench which contributed 22 points
• Jones scored 13 points and pulled in six rebounds in just 16 minutes of action
• The Defenders were led by Ashlyn Messinger who finished with 23 points

 
WHO'S NEXT
The Gators have punched their ticket to the NCAA Championship Tournament, and they will find out who and where they play during the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, Feb. 27 at 2:30 p.m.
 
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