BALTIMORE, Md.- The Mighty Mac women's basketball team (4-5) travelled to Notre Dame on Saturday for a non-conference game, and after playing from behind most of the day, the Macs battled all the way back to tie the game midway through the fourth quarter, but were unable to get over the hump and take control in a 58-54 loss.
 
Sophomore Theresa Kearney had 13, sophomore Shannon Kelly had 10, and sophomore Brielle Rigo had nine points and 11 boards in the loss.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-The teams were exchanging baskets early in the game, and after sophomore Natalie Ayoub tied it on a free throw with 1:46 to go at 11-11, Kearney converted a layup and Ayoub did the same as the Macs took a 15-13 advantage to the second quarter
-Notre Dame jumped in front in the second quarter by holding an 18-9 edge.  The Gators scored the first five, but a Kelly triple tied it at 18-18
-The Gators scored the next six to take their largest lead to that point, but the Macs responded with five right away on a bucket by Rigo and another three by Kelly to cut the deficit to one
-The Mighty Macs then struggled the rest of the quarter, as they were outscored 7-1 and trailed 31-24 at the break
-In the third, the Macs got as close as three points, but Notre Dame quickly responded as their lead climbed as high as 12 before taking a 48-40 advantage to the fourth
-The score stood at 50-42 with 8:49 remaining, and IU went on a pivotal 8-0 run to tie the game.  Kearney hit a jumper, Rigo a free throw, senior Amber Ballinger hit a three, and Kelly hit a layup to tie the game at 50-50 with 4:38 to go
-Unfortunately for the Macs, the Gators held IU scoreless for the next four minutes and scored six themselves to take a 56-50 lead en route to topping IU by four
 
TEAM COMPARISON
-The Mighty Macs struggled from the field, shooting just 27.4% on 20-of-73, including 19.4% from long range with seven makes in a season-high 36 attempts.  IU was just 7-of-14 from the line
-Notre Dame was a more efficient 21-for-56 (37.5%) from the field, 6-for-15 (40%) from three and 10-of-14 (71.4%) from the line
-The Macs were outrebounded 49-42, but forced 23 turnovers while only turning it over 12 times themselves
 
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
-Points: Kearney 13, Kelly 10, Rigo 9, Ballinger 8
-Rebounds: Rigo 11, Kearney 7, Kelly 5
-Assists: Ricker 3, Gallagher 2, Ayoub 2
-Steals: Ballinger 2, Kohutka 2, Rigo 2
 
UP NEXT
The Mighty Macs will host Washington College next Saturday at Alumnae Hall.