FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Notre Dame College used a 17-4 scoring advantage in the second quarter of play to take control of Saturday's Mountain East Conference matchup against Fairmont State at Joe Retton Arena, defeating the Falcons by a 69-54 final score.
 
With the loss, FSU falls to 11-11 overall and 6-10 in MEC play. NDC improved to 16-7 overall and 12-4 in the league.
 
After grabbing a double-digit lead on the tip-in as time expired in the opening half, Notre Dame led by 10 or more the rest of the afternoon – except for two brief occasions that NDC quickly answered.
 
Fairmont State held the shooting advantage in the game, finishing at 38.5 percent, compared to 37.7 percent for NDC. However, Notre Dame scored 21 points off turnovers and had 17 second-chance points off 15 offensive rebounds in the win.
 
NDC also drained 16-of-18 attempts from the free throw line and held a 44-30 rebounding advantage.
 
Brooke Kurucz was the lone Fairmont State player to reach double-figures with 16 points and six rebounds in the contest. The Falcons also got seven points from Sierra Kotchman and six points apiece from Molly Rinkevich, Kelli Jo Harrison and Erin Danik.
 
Marisa Finazzo led Notre Dame with 13 points in the victory. Seina Adachi and Abi Oriti each finished the afternoon with 10.
 
FSU will now travel to UVa-Wise for a 5:30 p.m. tip on Thursday evening.