SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No. 18 Notre Dame (2-0) took care of business in its first two games last week, and the Irish will play one more game in Purcell Pavilion on Wednesday before hitting the road this weekend, as Akron (0-2) visits. The game is presented by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.
Notre Dame is coming off blow out wins over FDU and Chicago State last week by a combined score 214-110. All five Notre Dame starters scored in double-figures in both games, with Hannah Hidalgo leading the way with 27 and 32, respectively. Against FDU, Gisela Sanchez recorded her first career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Vanessa de Jesus notched a career-high 22 points.
Chicago State featured additional career-highs. Cassandre Prosper had 28 points and steals, and KK Bransford had 21 points and 13 rebounds, her first career double-double. While the same size is small, Prosper leads the ACC in field goal percentage (64.0 percent) and is the only major conference player with a free throw percentage of 100 percent and more than 10 made free throws.
Also of note, both Malaya Cowles and Iyana Moore will be available for Notre Dame on Wednesday. The graduate transfer from Wake Forest and Vanderbilt, respectively, missed the first two games of the season with lower leg injuries.
On the other side of the court, Akron is coming off a loss to Robert Morris, 60-71. Five Akron players posted career-high marks, including a 22-point showing from Ni’Rah Clark. While she has not played this year due to injury, Akron freshman Kailee Bransford is the sister of Notre Dame’s Bransford, so the game is a family reunion for the Irish senior.
Notre Dame is 1-0 all-time against Akron, a game played in 2011. Wednesday’s contest will tip off on ACCNX at 7 p.m. Jack Rinaldi, Molly O’Malley and Tyler Reidy will be on the call from Purcell Pavilion.
Hannah Hidalgo