ND Women's BB '17 -'18 Season
- Thread starter BGIF
- Start date
FINAL ND 87 SYR 72
FINAL ND 87 SYR 72
Matchup SYR ND
FG Made-Attem 26-64 32-68
Field Goal % 40.6 47.1
3PT Made-Atte 9-26 7-14
Three Point % 34.6 50.0
FT Made-Attem 11-15 16-22
Free Throw % 73.3 72.7
Total Rebounds 39 40
Offensive Rebs 13 14
Defensive Rebs 26 26
Assists 10 18
Steals 6 10
Blocks 3 0
Total Turnovers 17 12
Personal Fouls 18 15
Technical Fouls 1 0
FINAL ND 87 SYR 72
Matchup SYR ND
FG Made-Attem 26-64 32-68
Field Goal % 40.6 47.1
3PT Made-Atte 9-26 7-14
Three Point % 34.6 50.0
FT Made-Attem 11-15 16-22
Free Throw % 73.3 72.7
Total Rebounds 39 40
Offensive Rebs 13 14
Defensive Rebs 26 26
Assists 10 18
Steals 6 10
Blocks 3 0
Total Turnovers 17 12
Personal Fouls 18 15
Technical Fouls 1 0
Notre Dame
Syracuse
HTML:
STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT OREB DREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
J. ShepardF 33 9-19 0-0 6-6 6 6 12 2 0 0 4 2 24
K. WestbeldF 36 6-8 3-3 1-2 3 2 5 4 4 0 2 2 16
M. MabreyG 33 3-9 2-5 1-2 0 5 5 5 0 0 2 2 9
A. OgunbowaleG 28 3-10 0-1 6-8 2 4 6 1 1 0 1 2 12
J. YoungG 37 10-16 2-4 1-2 1 4 5 2 1 0 2 2 23
BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT OREB DREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
D. PattersonF 09 1-1 0-0 1-2 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2 3
K. NelsonF 02 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 2 0
L. ThompsonG 22 0-5 0-1 0-0 0 3 3 2 4 0 0 1 0
TEAM 32-68 7-14 16-22 14 26 40 18 10 0 12 15 87
47.1% 50.0% 72.7%Syracuse
HTML:
STARTERS MIN FG 3PT FT OREB DREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
D. StrautmaneF 39 3-12 0-4 3-3 4 2 6 0 1 3 2 2 9
M. DrummondF 34 5-9 3-6 2-2 2 5 7 1 1 0 2 4 15
A. Finklea-Gu C 25 2-5 0-0 1-2 1 3 4 0 0 0 2 4 5
G. CooperG 23 3-11 0-4 0-0 3 1 4 0 1 0 2 4 6
T. MangakahiaG 39 10-21 4-7 2-2 0 9 9 8 2 0 8 1 26
BENCH MIN FG 3PT FT OREB DREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
J. NwajeiG 02 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
I. YoungG 25 2-4 2-4 1-2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 7
R. FoxG 13 1-2 0-1 2-4 2 4 6 0 1 0 1 0 4
TEAM 26-64 9-26 11-15 13 26 39 10 6 3 17 18 72
40.6% 34.6% 73.3%
Last edited:
She injured her ankle in practice yet played for 33 minutes scoring her third consecutive double double. And there was a lot of banging bodies under the basket that Shep had to fight though. She was 6-6 from the foul line.
I believe this was Shep's 2nd ankle injury in a week. Apparently they haven't been too severe.
What might be more remarkable was Westbeld's 39 minutes on a nagging foot injury. She had a season high 16 points and 5 rebs. She shot 6-8 from the floor and 3-3 from the arc. ND had a season high 7 treys and Kat had 3 of them.
Jackie Young played 37 minutes with her mask to protect a broken nose, had 23 points matching her career high.
Last edited:
Old Man Mike
Fast as Lightning!
- Messages
- 8,984
- Reaction score
- 6,482
Three starters playing injured. They play the most minutes of anyone. They are the three leading scorers in the game.
WARRIORS.
WARRIORS.
No. 2 Irish Whisk Past Wake Forest, 96-73 :: Notre Dame Women's Basketball :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of ND Athletics
No. 2 Irish Whisk Past Wake Forest, 96-73
Mabrey's season-high 22 points propel Irish to second straight ACC victory
Dec. 31, 2017
Box Score | Photo Gallery | PDF Box
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The No. 2 University of Notre Dame women's basketball team (13-1, 2-0) closed out 2017 on a winning note, defeating Wake Forest (8-6, 0-1), 96-73, in a Sunday matinee.
Notre Dame used 20-plus point outings from Arike Ogunbowale and Marina Mabrey to secure its second Atlantic Coast Conference victory, this time coming at LJVM Coliseum.
How It Happened
Notre Dame jumped out to a 15-2 lead by the 5:43 mark as Arike Ogunbowale and Marina Mabrey combined to score the first 11 points for the Irish. The duo both reached 10 points by the end of the period, extending Notre Dame’s lead to 28-12, becoming the first pair of Irish players to record double figures in an opening period this season.
Three-pointers from Mabrey and Ogunbowale strung together a 9-2 run midway through the second quarter, building Notre Dame’s lead to 43-25. By half, Ogunbowale and Mabrey combined for 29 points, as seven different Irish scorers sent Notre Dame into the locker-room with a 50-31 advantage.
Entering the fourth quarter with a 70-53 edge over the Demon Deacons, Notre Dame’s offense continued to spur through Mabrey and Ogunbowale as the pair accounted for 10 of the team’s first 12 points. The Irish, which held Wake Forest without a field goal for 4:19 in the fourth, ultimately secured the 96-73 win over the Demon Deacons.
Player of the Game
Marina Mabrey collected a season-high 22 points with six rebounds and recorded her second game of 20-plus points this season. For Mabrey, it marked her 10th game of double-figure points in 2017. Furthermore, Mabrey’s five assists against Wake Forest extended her streak of five-plus assists to four games.
In addition, Mabrey is also averaging 15.6 points with 6.0 rebounds over her last five games.
Stat of the Game
Both Mabrey and Ogunbowale reached double digits (10 points each) in the first quarter, marking the first time two players achieved said feat this season.
Notes
Notre Dame leads the all-time series versus Wake Forest, 6-0, including a 3-0 mark in Winston-Salem.
Irish extend their all-time ACC record to 64-2.
Irish shot 12-for-15 from the field in the first quarter (80.0 percent), which marked its best shooting percentage quarter this season with at least 10 made field goals.
With a 50-31 lead at the midway point, Notre Dame had scored 50 points in a half for the fifth time this season.
Arike Ogunbowale’s 25 points against Wake Forest gives her 14 straight games with double-digit points this season and an active streak of 23 dating back to last season. It also marked Ogunbowale’s 10th 20+ point game this season, which leads the ACC.
Ogunbowale averages 21.0 points against Wake Forest in her career, while Mabrey averages 15.7 points per game against the Demon Deacons.
With 10 points, Westbeld achieved her fourth straight game with double-digit points.
Kristina Nelson equaled her career-high 13 points and collected seven rebounds.
Kaitlin Cole came off to bench to tie her career high of five points.
Up Next
The Irish return home to welcome its first opponent of 2018 in the Miami Hurricanes on Thursday, Jan. 4. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on ACCN Extra.
--ND--
No. 2 Irish Whisk Past Wake Forest, 96-73
Mabrey's season-high 22 points propel Irish to second straight ACC victory
Dec. 31, 2017
Box Score | Photo Gallery | PDF Box
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The No. 2 University of Notre Dame women's basketball team (13-1, 2-0) closed out 2017 on a winning note, defeating Wake Forest (8-6, 0-1), 96-73, in a Sunday matinee.
Notre Dame used 20-plus point outings from Arike Ogunbowale and Marina Mabrey to secure its second Atlantic Coast Conference victory, this time coming at LJVM Coliseum.
How It Happened
Notre Dame jumped out to a 15-2 lead by the 5:43 mark as Arike Ogunbowale and Marina Mabrey combined to score the first 11 points for the Irish. The duo both reached 10 points by the end of the period, extending Notre Dame’s lead to 28-12, becoming the first pair of Irish players to record double figures in an opening period this season.
Three-pointers from Mabrey and Ogunbowale strung together a 9-2 run midway through the second quarter, building Notre Dame’s lead to 43-25. By half, Ogunbowale and Mabrey combined for 29 points, as seven different Irish scorers sent Notre Dame into the locker-room with a 50-31 advantage.
Entering the fourth quarter with a 70-53 edge over the Demon Deacons, Notre Dame’s offense continued to spur through Mabrey and Ogunbowale as the pair accounted for 10 of the team’s first 12 points. The Irish, which held Wake Forest without a field goal for 4:19 in the fourth, ultimately secured the 96-73 win over the Demon Deacons.
Player of the Game
Marina Mabrey collected a season-high 22 points with six rebounds and recorded her second game of 20-plus points this season. For Mabrey, it marked her 10th game of double-figure points in 2017. Furthermore, Mabrey’s five assists against Wake Forest extended her streak of five-plus assists to four games.
In addition, Mabrey is also averaging 15.6 points with 6.0 rebounds over her last five games.
Stat of the Game
Both Mabrey and Ogunbowale reached double digits (10 points each) in the first quarter, marking the first time two players achieved said feat this season.
Notes
Notre Dame leads the all-time series versus Wake Forest, 6-0, including a 3-0 mark in Winston-Salem.
Irish extend their all-time ACC record to 64-2.
Irish shot 12-for-15 from the field in the first quarter (80.0 percent), which marked its best shooting percentage quarter this season with at least 10 made field goals.
With a 50-31 lead at the midway point, Notre Dame had scored 50 points in a half for the fifth time this season.
Arike Ogunbowale’s 25 points against Wake Forest gives her 14 straight games with double-digit points this season and an active streak of 23 dating back to last season. It also marked Ogunbowale’s 10th 20+ point game this season, which leads the ACC.
Ogunbowale averages 21.0 points against Wake Forest in her career, while Mabrey averages 15.7 points per game against the Demon Deacons.
With 10 points, Westbeld achieved her fourth straight game with double-digit points.
Kristina Nelson equaled her career-high 13 points and collected seven rebounds.
Kaitlin Cole came off to bench to tie her career high of five points.
Up Next
The Irish return home to welcome its first opponent of 2018 in the Miami Hurricanes on Thursday, Jan. 4. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on ACCN Extra.
--ND--
Thompson to Miss Remainder of 2017-18 Season :: Notre Dame Women's Basketball :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of ND Athletics
Thompson to Miss Remainder of 2017-18 Season
Suffered torn ACL in right knee from Wake Forest game
Jan. 4, 2018
Thompson to Miss Remainder of 2017-18 Season
Suffered torn ACL in right knee from Wake Forest game
Jan. 4, 2018
No. 2 Irish Host Hot Miami Squad on Thursday :: Notre Dame Women's Basketball :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of ND Athletics
No. 2 Irish Host Hot Miami Squad on Thursday
Tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET on ACCN Extra
Game 15: #2/2 Notre Dame (13-1, 2-0) vs (RV/RV) Miami (11-3, 1-0)
When: Thursday, Jan. 4 | 7:00 pm ET
Where: Notre Dame, Ind. | Purcell Pavilion (9,149)
Watch: ACCN Extra
Listen: PULSE FM 96.9 / 92.1 | Bob Nagle (PxP)
Live Scoring:
Click Here
Notes: Notre Dame | Miami
Social: @NDWBB
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The No. 2 University of Notre Dame women’s basketball team (13-1, 2-0) looks to remain undefeated at home in ACC play when the Irish host (RV/RV) Miami (11-3, 1-0) on Thursday, Jan. 3. Tip-off will commence at 7 p.m. ET and stream live on ACCN Extra.
Notre Dame leads the all-time series vs Miami, 19-4, and have won four straight against the Hurricanes.
WHO’S HOT
The Irish starters have been key to the start of ACC play, as Notre Dame has had two straight games with two 20-point scorers, with the kick being they have all been different players. Jackie Young (23 points) and Jessica Shepard (24 points) achieved the feat in the 87-72 victory over Syracuse. Then three days later, Marina Mabrey (22 points) and Arike Ogunbowale (25 points) combined for 47 points in the 96-73 win at Wake Forest.
Young tied her career high of 23 points in the outing, while Shepard has rattled off three double-doubles over the past four games. Mabrey earned a new season high with her 22-point performance at Wake on an impressive 8-for-11 shooting day. Mabrey has also dished out at least five assists in four straight games.
Ogunbowale continues to do what the junior does best, which is reach the 20-point threshold. In fact, Ogunbowale continues to lead all players in the ACC with her now 10, 20+ point performances.
THREE-POINT SHOOTING HEATING UP
The Irish entered ACC play shooting 30.0 percent from beyond the arc, averaging 4.3 made three’s per game. Yet over the past two games to begin ACC play, the Irish have heated up from three-point range, knocking down 13-of-26 (.500) from deep. As a result, Notre Dame’s three-point shooting percentage has jumped to 32.7 percent.
Marina Mabrey has been a giant component to the three-point shooting surge, as the junior has gone 6-for-11 (.545) from beyond the arc over the past two games. In addition, Westbeld has knocked down a perfect 3-for-3, while Young has converted 2-of-5.
WESTBELD’S WORLD
Westbeld has achieved a season best four straight games with double-digit points. During the four-game stretch, Westbeld has averaged 12.3 points on a staggering 70.8 percent shooting, to go with her 6.0 rebound average. The senior has risen her scoring average from 4.6 points to 6.9 points and her shooting percentage from .643 to its now team leading .673.
Westbeld earned her best overall game of the year vs Syracuse on Dec. 28, tallying season highs in points (16), made field goals (6), made three’s (3), assists (4), steals (4) and minutes (36). The game prior, Westbeld secured her first double-double of the year and fifth of her career with 13 points and 10 rebounds in the overtime win vs Marquette on Dec. 20.
CAREER VS MIAMI
Who’s had the most success against Miami in her career on the current roster? If your guess was Marina Mabrey, then you are correct. In three games vs Miami over her Irish career, Mabrey has totaled 36 points, good for a 12.0 ppg average. Following right behind her is fellow junior Arike Ogunbowale, who has totaled 31 points for a 10.3 ppg average. Finally, Westbeld averages 9.0 ppg through five games.
ABOUT MIAMI
The Miami Hurricanes will arrive at Purcell Pavilion with an 11-3 overall record and a six-game win streak that started with a 65-54 upset over then No. 20/23 Kentucky. In addition, Miami is fresh off its best win of the season, knocking off No. 14/15 Duke, 51-48.
Senior Erykah Davenport recorded her fourth double-double in the win with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Davenport is Miami’s second leading scorer, averaging 10.9 points per game with her league best 9.6 rebounds. The top scoring spot belongs to freshman guard Mykea Gray, who averages 14.1 points per game on 40.4 percent shooting from the floor. In fact, three of Miami’s top five scorers this season are freshman guards.
Defensively, the Hurricanes have boasted a stingy defense, allowing 57.4 points per game, while ranking 10th in the nation in turnovers forced with 23.3 per game. Miami also ranks 31st in steals per game with 11.3.
No. 2 Irish Host Hot Miami Squad on Thursday
Tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET on ACCN Extra
Game 15: #2/2 Notre Dame (13-1, 2-0) vs (RV/RV) Miami (11-3, 1-0)
When: Thursday, Jan. 4 | 7:00 pm ET
Where: Notre Dame, Ind. | Purcell Pavilion (9,149)
Watch: ACCN Extra
Listen: PULSE FM 96.9 / 92.1 | Bob Nagle (PxP)
Live Scoring:
Click Here
Notes: Notre Dame | Miami
Social: @NDWBB
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The No. 2 University of Notre Dame women’s basketball team (13-1, 2-0) looks to remain undefeated at home in ACC play when the Irish host (RV/RV) Miami (11-3, 1-0) on Thursday, Jan. 3. Tip-off will commence at 7 p.m. ET and stream live on ACCN Extra.
Notre Dame leads the all-time series vs Miami, 19-4, and have won four straight against the Hurricanes.
WHO’S HOT
The Irish starters have been key to the start of ACC play, as Notre Dame has had two straight games with two 20-point scorers, with the kick being they have all been different players. Jackie Young (23 points) and Jessica Shepard (24 points) achieved the feat in the 87-72 victory over Syracuse. Then three days later, Marina Mabrey (22 points) and Arike Ogunbowale (25 points) combined for 47 points in the 96-73 win at Wake Forest.
Young tied her career high of 23 points in the outing, while Shepard has rattled off three double-doubles over the past four games. Mabrey earned a new season high with her 22-point performance at Wake on an impressive 8-for-11 shooting day. Mabrey has also dished out at least five assists in four straight games.
Ogunbowale continues to do what the junior does best, which is reach the 20-point threshold. In fact, Ogunbowale continues to lead all players in the ACC with her now 10, 20+ point performances.
THREE-POINT SHOOTING HEATING UP
The Irish entered ACC play shooting 30.0 percent from beyond the arc, averaging 4.3 made three’s per game. Yet over the past two games to begin ACC play, the Irish have heated up from three-point range, knocking down 13-of-26 (.500) from deep. As a result, Notre Dame’s three-point shooting percentage has jumped to 32.7 percent.
Marina Mabrey has been a giant component to the three-point shooting surge, as the junior has gone 6-for-11 (.545) from beyond the arc over the past two games. In addition, Westbeld has knocked down a perfect 3-for-3, while Young has converted 2-of-5.
WESTBELD’S WORLD
Westbeld has achieved a season best four straight games with double-digit points. During the four-game stretch, Westbeld has averaged 12.3 points on a staggering 70.8 percent shooting, to go with her 6.0 rebound average. The senior has risen her scoring average from 4.6 points to 6.9 points and her shooting percentage from .643 to its now team leading .673.
Westbeld earned her best overall game of the year vs Syracuse on Dec. 28, tallying season highs in points (16), made field goals (6), made three’s (3), assists (4), steals (4) and minutes (36). The game prior, Westbeld secured her first double-double of the year and fifth of her career with 13 points and 10 rebounds in the overtime win vs Marquette on Dec. 20.
CAREER VS MIAMI
Who’s had the most success against Miami in her career on the current roster? If your guess was Marina Mabrey, then you are correct. In three games vs Miami over her Irish career, Mabrey has totaled 36 points, good for a 12.0 ppg average. Following right behind her is fellow junior Arike Ogunbowale, who has totaled 31 points for a 10.3 ppg average. Finally, Westbeld averages 9.0 ppg through five games.
ABOUT MIAMI
The Miami Hurricanes will arrive at Purcell Pavilion with an 11-3 overall record and a six-game win streak that started with a 65-54 upset over then No. 20/23 Kentucky. In addition, Miami is fresh off its best win of the season, knocking off No. 14/15 Duke, 51-48.
Senior Erykah Davenport recorded her fourth double-double in the win with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Davenport is Miami’s second leading scorer, averaging 10.9 points per game with her league best 9.6 rebounds. The top scoring spot belongs to freshman guard Mykea Gray, who averages 14.1 points per game on 40.4 percent shooting from the floor. In fact, three of Miami’s top five scorers this season are freshman guards.
Defensively, the Hurricanes have boasted a stingy defense, allowing 57.4 points per game, while ranking 10th in the nation in turnovers forced with 23.3 per game. Miami also ranks 31st in steals per game with 11.3.
--ND--
https://www.ndinsider.com/basketball/womens/with-lili-thompson-out-notre-dame-s-depth-becomes-a/article_1f2b2bf6-f0f0-11e7-8716-3b20bbfb61c5.html
With Lili Thompson out, Notre Dame's depth becomes a sore point
By Anthony Anderson Tribune Correspondent
SOUTH BEND — Without Lili Thompson, there’s not a healthy scholarship player left on the Notre Dame women’s basketball team defined foremost as a point guard, but Jackie Young and Arike Ogunbowale are expressing confidence that they can help fill a role that for them has historically taken a secondary seat to scoring.
“I think we’re just going to rotate me, Marina (Mabrey) and Arike at point,” Young said after practice Wednesday afternoon as the No. 2-ranked Irish (13-1, 2-0) prepared for Thursday night’s Atlantic Coast Conference visit by Miami (11-3, 1-0). “Our lineup will look a little different, but I think we’ll be fine there.”
Notre Dame has been forced into its latest shuffle of responsibilities by virtue of Sunday’s knee injury to Thompson late in the third quarter of a 96-73 victory at Wake Forest.
The graduate transfer who leads the Irish at 4.6 assists per game is expected to miss at least Thursday’s contest and could be out longer. As of 8 p.m. Wednesday, the school had not announced an update on her status since she underwent an MRI on Tuesday afternoon.
Young is the all-time leading scorer in Indiana high school basketball history and Ogunbowale the No. 1 scorer on this season’s Notre Dame squad. While they are known first as point producers, both have spent time at point guard in their careers, as has Mabrey.
“Point guard’s a lot more running the stuff and creating the stuff, but it’s nothing real different,” Ogunbowale said. “We all practice it and we’ll be ready.”
“In high school, I played the point a lot,” Young said.
In college, not so much, at least not until Sunday’s win.
“It was the first time I played it for a long stretch,” Young said. “It helped my confidence a little bit and made me more comfortable.”
Young responded with a career-high six assists and drew praise from coach Muffet McGraw for her point-guard play.
In fact, Young and Ogunbowale both had notably strong floor games. Young’s assists came against no turnovers in 36 minutes, to go with nine points. Ogunbowale dished three assists against no turnovers in 35 minutes, to go with 25 points.
For the season, Ogunbowale is averaging 20.5 points and Young 13.6. Each is at 2.6 assists, while Mabrey’s at 12.5 points and 3.4 assists.
“It will,” Ogunbowale said of whether being at the point might affect her point output, “but you can score from all positions and I score a lot in transition anyway, so we just have to get the ball and go.”
“In our offense, you have an opportunity to score from wherever you’re at,” Young concurred. “Playing the point is more about helping somebody else score ultimately, but you still have your chances. If you know the plays, you can call some that can set you up, but really, it’s just about winning the game and setting your teammates up in good position to score.”
Whether at the point or any other spot, communication remains fundamental, but it’s at the point that decision-making becomes key, according to Young.
“Whenever I’m on the wing, you hear the point guard call the play out, so you just know where to go, but now, if you’re the point guard, it’s you reading the defense,” Young said. “It’s you trying to get your team in the right positions, and hopefully it’s you calling out the right play.”
Miami's vice
Notre Dame’s first game potentially minus one of its primary ball-handlers in Thompson will come against none other than a team adept at taking away the ball.
Miami is forcing 23.3 turnovers per contest to rank 11th among 345 Division I teams, and the Hurricanes’ turnover margin of plus-4.6 stands 41st nationally.
“They’re quick. They like to pressure,” McGraw said. “They do a lot on the full court, but they trap in the half-court, too, It’ll be a little frantic.”
The Irish, averaging 14.6 turnovers, are breaking even in margin at plus-0.07.
The Canes already have defeated two ranked teams. They’re coming off a 51-48 win over then-No. 14 Duke, and their current six-game winning streak began when they beat then-No. 20 Kentucky 65-54.
On the other hand, they’ve played just one true road game, falling 67-61 at Colorado on Nov. 18.
“They’ve just really been playing well together, playing great defensively,” McGraw said. “They have a freshman (Mykea Gray) who’s been (ACC) Rookie of the Week a couple times. She’s really playing well. She’s a good player, really good defender, good scorer.”
The 5-foot-4 Gray is averaging 14.1 points to lead a team that often goes deep into its bench. Miami features 11 players averaging between 11.9 and freshman Endia Banks’ club-leading 26.9 minutes per game.
In contrast, the Irish have four players averaging at least 28.4 minutes, but without Thompson, just two others averaging in double digits.
Roster addition
Notre Dame revealed Wednesday that it has elevated practice player Nicole Benz to its official roster.
A 5-foot-8 freshman from Valencia, Calif., Benz gives the Irish three active walk-ons.
She was a four-year varsity player at Hart High School in Santa Clarita and earned All-California Interscholastic Federation second-team honors as a junior.
Without Thompson, the Irish are down to seven scholarship players, her injury following the season-ending ones over the last 10 weeks to senior point guard Mychal Johnson and freshman center Mikayla Vaughn.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
WHO: Miami, Fla. (11-3, 1-0 ACC) vs. No. 2 Notre Dame (13-1, 2-0 ACC).
WHERE: Purcell Pavilion (9,149), Notre Dame.
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
TICKETS: Available, $5 to $15.
RADIO: Pulse (96.9 / 92.1 FM).
WEB: ACC Network Extra.
TV: None.
NOTING: Two of Miami’s top three scorers are freshmen in 5-4 Mykea Gray (14.1 points per game) and 5-9 Endia Banks (8.2 ppg, 3.3 assists). Erykah Davenport, a 6-2 senior, is averaging 10.9 points and 9.6 rebounds. Three other Hurricanes average between 7.4 and 7.6 points apiece, while senior Keyanna Harris is at 5.4 points and a team-leading 2.6 steals. As a club, the Hurricanes are making 11.3 steals per game. … For the Irish, Arike Ogunbowale is at 20.5 ppg. Jessica Shepard’s averaging 15.2 points and 8.6 rebounds, Jackie Young 13.6 points and 7.5 boards, and Marina Mabrey 12.5 points and 3.4 assists. Over her last four games, Kathryn Westbeld is at 12.3 points and 6.5 rebounds. … Notre Dame is 5-1 against Miami since joining the ACC, including a pair of league tourney wins, and has won four straight against the Hurricanes overall. The Irish have beaten Miami three straight times at Notre Dame, with the Canes’ last win at ND coming in January 2003.
QUOTING: “We haven’t gotten the results yet, but we’re just really praying for her and hoping for good things to come. … It’s true, we’ve had a lot happen (in terms of injuries this season), but God has a plan.” — Jackie Young, Notre Dame guard, while discussing teammate Lili Thompson on Wednesday.
With Lili Thompson out, Notre Dame's depth becomes a sore point
By Anthony Anderson Tribune Correspondent
SOUTH BEND — Without Lili Thompson, there’s not a healthy scholarship player left on the Notre Dame women’s basketball team defined foremost as a point guard, but Jackie Young and Arike Ogunbowale are expressing confidence that they can help fill a role that for them has historically taken a secondary seat to scoring.
“I think we’re just going to rotate me, Marina (Mabrey) and Arike at point,” Young said after practice Wednesday afternoon as the No. 2-ranked Irish (13-1, 2-0) prepared for Thursday night’s Atlantic Coast Conference visit by Miami (11-3, 1-0). “Our lineup will look a little different, but I think we’ll be fine there.”
Notre Dame has been forced into its latest shuffle of responsibilities by virtue of Sunday’s knee injury to Thompson late in the third quarter of a 96-73 victory at Wake Forest.
The graduate transfer who leads the Irish at 4.6 assists per game is expected to miss at least Thursday’s contest and could be out longer. As of 8 p.m. Wednesday, the school had not announced an update on her status since she underwent an MRI on Tuesday afternoon.
Young is the all-time leading scorer in Indiana high school basketball history and Ogunbowale the No. 1 scorer on this season’s Notre Dame squad. While they are known first as point producers, both have spent time at point guard in their careers, as has Mabrey.
“Point guard’s a lot more running the stuff and creating the stuff, but it’s nothing real different,” Ogunbowale said. “We all practice it and we’ll be ready.”
“In high school, I played the point a lot,” Young said.
In college, not so much, at least not until Sunday’s win.
“It was the first time I played it for a long stretch,” Young said. “It helped my confidence a little bit and made me more comfortable.”
Young responded with a career-high six assists and drew praise from coach Muffet McGraw for her point-guard play.
In fact, Young and Ogunbowale both had notably strong floor games. Young’s assists came against no turnovers in 36 minutes, to go with nine points. Ogunbowale dished three assists against no turnovers in 35 minutes, to go with 25 points.
For the season, Ogunbowale is averaging 20.5 points and Young 13.6. Each is at 2.6 assists, while Mabrey’s at 12.5 points and 3.4 assists.
“It will,” Ogunbowale said of whether being at the point might affect her point output, “but you can score from all positions and I score a lot in transition anyway, so we just have to get the ball and go.”
“In our offense, you have an opportunity to score from wherever you’re at,” Young concurred. “Playing the point is more about helping somebody else score ultimately, but you still have your chances. If you know the plays, you can call some that can set you up, but really, it’s just about winning the game and setting your teammates up in good position to score.”
Whether at the point or any other spot, communication remains fundamental, but it’s at the point that decision-making becomes key, according to Young.
“Whenever I’m on the wing, you hear the point guard call the play out, so you just know where to go, but now, if you’re the point guard, it’s you reading the defense,” Young said. “It’s you trying to get your team in the right positions, and hopefully it’s you calling out the right play.”
Miami's vice
Notre Dame’s first game potentially minus one of its primary ball-handlers in Thompson will come against none other than a team adept at taking away the ball.
Miami is forcing 23.3 turnovers per contest to rank 11th among 345 Division I teams, and the Hurricanes’ turnover margin of plus-4.6 stands 41st nationally.
“They’re quick. They like to pressure,” McGraw said. “They do a lot on the full court, but they trap in the half-court, too, It’ll be a little frantic.”
The Irish, averaging 14.6 turnovers, are breaking even in margin at plus-0.07.
The Canes already have defeated two ranked teams. They’re coming off a 51-48 win over then-No. 14 Duke, and their current six-game winning streak began when they beat then-No. 20 Kentucky 65-54.
On the other hand, they’ve played just one true road game, falling 67-61 at Colorado on Nov. 18.
“They’ve just really been playing well together, playing great defensively,” McGraw said. “They have a freshman (Mykea Gray) who’s been (ACC) Rookie of the Week a couple times. She’s really playing well. She’s a good player, really good defender, good scorer.”
The 5-foot-4 Gray is averaging 14.1 points to lead a team that often goes deep into its bench. Miami features 11 players averaging between 11.9 and freshman Endia Banks’ club-leading 26.9 minutes per game.
In contrast, the Irish have four players averaging at least 28.4 minutes, but without Thompson, just two others averaging in double digits.
Roster addition
Notre Dame revealed Wednesday that it has elevated practice player Nicole Benz to its official roster.
A 5-foot-8 freshman from Valencia, Calif., Benz gives the Irish three active walk-ons.
She was a four-year varsity player at Hart High School in Santa Clarita and earned All-California Interscholastic Federation second-team honors as a junior.
Without Thompson, the Irish are down to seven scholarship players, her injury following the season-ending ones over the last 10 weeks to senior point guard Mychal Johnson and freshman center Mikayla Vaughn.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
WHO: Miami, Fla. (11-3, 1-0 ACC) vs. No. 2 Notre Dame (13-1, 2-0 ACC).
WHERE: Purcell Pavilion (9,149), Notre Dame.
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
TICKETS: Available, $5 to $15.
RADIO: Pulse (96.9 / 92.1 FM).
WEB: ACC Network Extra.
TV: None.
NOTING: Two of Miami’s top three scorers are freshmen in 5-4 Mykea Gray (14.1 points per game) and 5-9 Endia Banks (8.2 ppg, 3.3 assists). Erykah Davenport, a 6-2 senior, is averaging 10.9 points and 9.6 rebounds. Three other Hurricanes average between 7.4 and 7.6 points apiece, while senior Keyanna Harris is at 5.4 points and a team-leading 2.6 steals. As a club, the Hurricanes are making 11.3 steals per game. … For the Irish, Arike Ogunbowale is at 20.5 ppg. Jessica Shepard’s averaging 15.2 points and 8.6 rebounds, Jackie Young 13.6 points and 7.5 boards, and Marina Mabrey 12.5 points and 3.4 assists. Over her last four games, Kathryn Westbeld is at 12.3 points and 6.5 rebounds. … Notre Dame is 5-1 against Miami since joining the ACC, including a pair of league tourney wins, and has won four straight against the Hurricanes overall. The Irish have beaten Miami three straight times at Notre Dame, with the Canes’ last win at ND coming in January 2003.
QUOTING: “We haven’t gotten the results yet, but we’re just really praying for her and hoping for good things to come. … It’s true, we’ve had a lot happen (in terms of injuries this season), but God has a plan.” — Jackie Young, Notre Dame guard, while discussing teammate Lili Thompson on Wednesday.
End of 1, MIA 22 ND 18
End of 1, MIA 22 ND 18
Matchup MIS ND
FG Made-Attempted 10-19 5-15
Field Goal % 52.6 33.3
3PT Made-Attempted 0-1 1-4
Three Point % 0.0 25.0
FT Made-Attempted 2-3 7-8
Free Throw % 66.7 87.5
Total Rebounds 12 8
Offensive Rebounds 2 0
Defensive Rebounds 10 8
Team Rebounds 0 0
Assists 4 4
Steals 1 3
Blocks 0 0
Turnovers 4 3
Team Turnovers 0 0
Total Turnovers 4 3
Personal Fouls 5 3
Technical Fouls 0 0
Flagrant Fouls 0 0
End of 1, MIA 22 ND 18
Matchup MIS ND
FG Made-Attempted 10-19 5-15
Field Goal % 52.6 33.3
3PT Made-Attempted 0-1 1-4
Three Point % 0.0 25.0
FT Made-Attempted 2-3 7-8
Free Throw % 66.7 87.5
Total Rebounds 12 8
Offensive Rebounds 2 0
Defensive Rebounds 10 8
Team Rebounds 0 0
Assists 4 4
Steals 1 3
Blocks 0 0
Turnovers 4 3
Team Turnovers 0 0
Total Turnovers 4 3
Personal Fouls 5 3
Technical Fouls 0 0
Flagrant Fouls 0 0