Concord's Late Run Stalls in Loss at Notre Dame

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio- The Concord University women's basketball team dropped a narrow contest on the road to Notre Dame College to open Mountain East Conference play, 66-64. 
 
Concord evens its record to 2-2 on the season (0-1 MEC), while NDC improves to 2-2 overall (1-0 MEC).     
 
The two teams exchanged baskets early on, with neither team holding more than a five-point lead until a jump shot from NDC's Katie Karalic made the score 31-25 with 1:38 left to go in the first half.  Freshman forward Riley Fitzwater posted a strong first half, notching a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds through the first 20 minutes as the Falcons took a 33-27 lead into the break. 
 
After Notre Dame scored five of the first seven points to start the second half, the Mountain Lions responded with an 8-0 run to trim the NDC lead to three, 40-37 with 5:21 left in the third.  Two field goals from junior guard Andreanna Pool highlighted the run for CU. 
 
The Mountain Lions tied the game for the first time shortly afterwards at the 1:30 mark after Fitzwater grabbed her own rebound and followed up for a layup to tie the game at 43. 
 
The Falcons made several more shots throughout the period to take a 53-47 lead heading into the final quarter. 
 
NDC threatened to pull away after taking a ten-point lead, 59-49, with 8:36 left to go in the contest.  However, a 10-1 run by CU, this time with field goals from Pool, sophomore forward Madison May, and senior forward Heather Chapman, pulled the Mountain Lions to within one with 4:33 to go. 
 
Concord took its first lead of the game, 64-63 with 3:02 to go after Pool knocked down a jump shot to bring her total to 16 points for the afternoon. 
 
NDC regained the lead, 65-64, after Seina Adachi stole the ball and converted the following layup to put the Falcons up with 1:41 to go. 
 
NDC converted a free throw in the closing seconds to take a two-point lead with just one second to play.   The Mountain Lions had a good look to win the game with a three-pointer, but had their attempt blocked at the buzzer as NDC held on to claim a two-point victory. 
 
Fitzwater notched her third game in double figures in four appearances, finishing with 16 points and grabbing a career-high 16 boards. 
 
Chapman also compiled a double-double after scoring 12 points and netting 11 rebounds. 
 
Pool chipped in 16 points, while May and senior guard Lindsey Overbey scored nine points each. 
 
Concord returns to action at Urbana on Monday.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.