ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Cedar Crest College basketball team defeated Notre Dame of Maryland University, 72-63, at in its regular season finale at Lees Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon with a strong defensive showing, including 14 steals. The Falcons capitalized on turnovers, converting them into 23 points.

Cedar Crest began the game by establishing a strong defensive presence, capitalizing on the Gators' turnovers to generate offensive opportunities. Sophomore Ella Bincarosky (Coopersburg, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic) opened the scoring for the Falcons with a three-pointer, setting the tone early. The Cedar Crest defense forced seven turnovers and secured five steals, contributing significantly to its momentum.

Offensively, the Falcons spread its scoring with multiple contributors, highlighted by first-year Gabrielle Moore's (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) five points, including a jumper and a three-pointer, towards the quarter's end. The Falcons closed the first stanza leading 17-13, maintaining control despite a late three-pointer by NDMU.

Cedar Crest seized momentum in the second quarter with a triple from Bincarosky at 4:08, which capped a scoring surge. The Falcons' defense was effective, forcing five turnovers and securing three steals, capitalizing on the Gators' missed opportunities. Cedar Crest extended its lead with a late layup by Bincarosky, assisted by junior Analyse Rios (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek), closing the quarter with a 32-20 advantage.

The Falcons began the third quarter by maintaining its momentum with a critical triple from Bincarosky, pushing the home team ahead early. Cedar Crest capitalized on turnovers, highlighted by a steal from Rios leading to another three-pointer. The Falcons' defense proved effective, with junior Samora Merchant (Danbury, Conn./Henry Abbott Technical) adding a block and securing a defensive rebound, further stabilizing the team's position.
Cedar Crest's offensive efforts were bolstered by multiple successful three-pointers from Bincarosky and Rios, extending the gap. Although Notre Dame of Maryland responded with points in the paint, the Falcons matched them with fast-break opportunities, including a quick three-pointer by Bincarosky. As the quarter concluded, both teams added 19 points, keeping Cedar Crest in the lead with a score of 51-39.

Cedar Crest started the fourth quarter with a strong defensive play as sophomore Ginger Kerdock (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck) secured a steal, leading to Bincarosky's three-pointer. The Falcons then extended their lead with a layup by Merchant, assisted by Rios, maintaining control on both ends of the court.
 
Rios played a pivotal role in fast breaks, contributing two layups and an assist to Bincarosky, pushing the Cedar Crest advantage. The Falcons' defense, highlighted by Merchant's block, limited the Gators to challenging shots.

Despite a late push from NDMU, including a three-pointer by sophomore Madison Simmons (Navarre, Fla.), Cedar Crest maintained a steady lead. The Falcons closed the quarter with clutch free throws from Kerdock and Rios, securing a 72–63 victory.

Bincarosky led Cedar Crest with 32 points, making nine-of-13 attempts from beyond the arc. Rios added 13 points and recorded five assists while collecting six rebounds. Kerdock contributed by posting eight assists and tallying three steals. With her eight assists, Kerdock tied the single season program record for assists with 127. Merchant made an impact defensively with three blocks and six rebounds.

Junior Marecia Barnett (Tacoma, Wash.) paced the scoring for Notre Dame of Maryland with 14 points, including three three-pointers, and contributed six assists and two steals. Sophomore Allison Holman (Fort Worth, Texas) matched Barnett with 14 points and added five rebounds. Junior Amani Watts (Severn, Md.) was the top scorer with 16 points, shooting 6-for-11 from the field, and collected seven rebounds.

Cedar Crest (17-8 overall, 9-4 United East) has qualified for the United East Conference Championship Tournament as the No. 4 seed and will have a rematch with fifth-seeded Notre Dame of Maryland University at home on Saturday, February 21 at 1:00 p.m.