La Plume, Pa.- The Notre Dame (MD) women's basketball team got back on track, taking down Keystone College by a score of 72-60 on Saturday, Feb. 4. NDMU is now 13-1 in CSAC play this season.
 
Kori People led the Gators' offense racking up 23 points. Daija Fitchett posted a double-double, finishing with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Ayana Brim made an impact in the paint, finishing with 16 points. Amya Durham also reached double figures, scoring 10 points. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gators (17-4 overall, 13-1 CSAC) grabbed an early one-point lead when People drilled a 3-pointer from the wing. On the next possession, People pulled up in transition, knocking down a jump shot from the baseline. Brim stretched the lead to five, powering to the basket for a layup. Later in the quarter, Durham put back an offensive rebound, giving NDMU an 11-2 lead. The Giants (8-13 overall, 7-7 CSAC) responded, going on a 4-0 run to close back within seven points. Out of a timeout, Alexis Jones went to work in the post, connecting on a short jump shot from the paint. The Gators led 15-8 going to the second quarter. 
 
Bethani Newbold started the Gators' offense in the second quarter, driving to the basket for a layup. People knocked down another 3-pointer, giving NDMU a 22-8 lead. Leading by 11, Durham stormed to the basket for an uncontested layup. People and Fitchett hit back-to-back jumpers, extending the lead to 14 points. Keystone would battle back, scoring five straight points to get within nine. Fitchett end the run with a layup and Brim converted another layup at the buzzer to lead 32-19 at the break. 
 
The Gators opened the second half on a 9-0 run, quickly capturing the momentum. NDMU created easy scoring opportunities thanks to some great ball movement that allowed them to build a 26-point lead midway through the quarter. The Giants tried to rally back, hitting a couple of 3-pointers to cut the deficit down to 20 points. NDMU lead 55-35 at the end of the third quarter.
 
Keystone continued to pull closer in the fourth quarter, opening the frame on a 10-2 run. The Giants cut the deficit down to 11 with 6:37 remaining in the game. Keystone hit back-to-back 3-pointers to close within five points. People calmed the Gators offense, scoring 10 points down the stretch, including a steal-and-score that put the game away. 
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• NDMU shot 43.7 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line.
• People was clutch down the stretch, scoring 10 of 23 points in the fourth quarter. She finished with a double-double, pulling in 10 rebounds.
• The Gators scored 36 points in the paint and 18 points off turnovers
• Fitchett finished with another double-double, scoring 14 points and pulling in 16 rebounds
• Brim also excelled in the post, posting 14 points and pulling in eight rebounds
• Durham went 5-7 from the floor, finishing with 10 points
• The Giants were led by Kaitlyn Slaboda, who scored 14 points

 
WHO'S NEXT
The Gators will return home to face the University of Valley Forge on Wednesday Feb. 8. Earlier this season, the Gators defeated the Patriots by a score of 71-22. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.  and all fans are asked to wear Pink, as NDMU will be holding a fundraiser benefiting the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. 
 
FOLLOW US
Fans can keep up with NDMU Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using the handle @ndmgatorsports.