SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Senior All-American Marissa Brown poured in a game-high 30 points here Sunday but it wasn't enough to keep Notre Dame from holding off the West Liberty women, 89-84, in Mountain East Conference basketball action at Murphy Gymnasium.
    Coach Kyle Cooper's Hilltoppers (5-4, 2-2) led for long stretches on the afternoon but couldn't overcome a third-quarter cold spell that allowed the host Falcons (5-2, 3-1) to steal the momentum and the win.
    The Black and Gold rallied from a 44-41 halftime deficit to take its largest lead of the second half, 63-56, on a power post from Brown at 4:41 of the third quarter but that proved to be the final basket of the quarter for the visitors.
    Notre Dame reeled off 13 unanswered points to grab a 69-63 advantage in the final minute of the frame before Brown closed out the quarter with a pair of free throws to make it 69-65 heading into the final 10 minutes.
    The Falcons kept their foot on the gas in the final period with a Kyleigh Ramlow 3-pointer giving the hosts their largest lead, 82-74, at the 3:07 mark.
    West Liberty pulled within three points, 87-84, on a rebound basket by Brown with 3.3 seconds remaining but Seina Adachi sealed it for Notre Dame with a pair of free throws after being fouled on the in-bounds pass.
    The Hilltoppers held a 34-30 advantage off the glass but a rash of second-half turnovers prevented the visitors from mounting a sustained surge.
    Turnovers ultimately proved to be the difference in the game as the Falcons took advantage of WLU's 24 turnovers to post a 27-13 edge in points off turnovers.
    Despite missing several minutes of action in the second half due to foul problems, Brown turned in another dominant performance with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. Morgan Brunner came off the bench to back Brown with 15 points, on five 3-point field goals, while Brandi Beader added 14 points and 6 board with Audrey Tingle contributing 11 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals.
    Adachi, a returning All-MEC standout, paced five double-figure scorers for the Falcons with 28 points and a team-high 6 assists.
    The West Liberty women return home on Wednesday to host Shepherd. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at the ASRC.