WISE - - Reigning Mountain East Conference Player of the Year Martha Nagbe staked her claim for a repeat honor Thursday. The senior scored a game-high 21 points while also leading all players in rebounds (14), steals (8) and assists (6) as the Falcons posted a 63-48 MEC victory over UVa-Wise at the Prior Center Thursday.

Notre Dame (17-8, 14-5 MEC) built a 16-8 lead after the opening quarter. Nagbe and teammate Lauren Langenderfer each netted eight points in the first 10 minutes.

UVa-Wise (10-13, 6-13 MEC) struggled to put the ball in the basket early on as Kristin Kunzman's club connected on just three of 11 field goal attempts, including an 0-3 showing from beyond the arc in the first period.

The Falcons built their lead to as many as 11 points before the Cavaliers began their comeback. A 10-0 scoring spurt by UVa-Wise featured five points each by Blair Harding and Alle Moore to cut the lead to one at 23-22 with 2:11 remaining in the half.

Notre Dame scored the final four points of the first 20 minutes to go to intermission leading 27-22.

Katie Hine's Falcons team would keep the Cavs at arm's length over the remainder of the contest.

UVa-Wise cut the lead to six at the end of the third period at 43-37 thanks to a Harding 3-pointer.

It would be as close as the hosts could get as Notre Dame outscored UVa-Wise 20-11 in the fourth period to complete the season-series sweep.

Harding made five 3-pointers to score a team-high 19 points. She was the only Cav to score in double figures

Langenderfer chipped in 19 while Hope Thorbahn picked up 10 rebounds for Notre Dame. As a team, the Falcons out-rebounded the Cavs 45-32. Hine's squad also made 16-21 free throws.

Next up for UVa-Wise is a home date with Urbana University Saturday. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. from the Prior Center.