Jan. 14, 2018
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The No. 2/2 University of Notre Dame women’s basketball team downed Boston College, 89-60, in a Sunday matinee at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center.
The Irish (16-2, 5-1) used a dominant 30-point third quarter to surge past the Eagles (6-11, 1-3) for their fifth Atlantic Coast Conference win and 17th straight victory on their home court.
“We had three really good quarters. I liked the way we came out and really attacked offensively,” Karen and Kevin Keyes Family Women’s Basketball Head Coach Muffet McGraw said. “We did some good things in the first three quarters. Getting inside was our goal and our game plan, and I thought we executed it really well.”
How It Happened
Notre Dame came out of the gates firing on all cylinders, opening play with a 9-0 run against the Eagles. Arike Ogunbowale‘s seven points in the period led all Irish scorers and gave the Irish a 21-12 lead.
The Irish carried their momentum into the second period, when they posted a 12-0 run just over a two-minute span, featuring baskets from three different Notre Dame players. Ogunbowale and Shepard each collected 13 points at the half, leading all seven Irish scorers. Notre Dame, which limited Boston College to just four field goals in the quarter, went into the break with a 42-22 edge.
Shepard was responsible for seven of the first nine points in the second half, guiding Notre Dame on an 11-0 run, its third of at least nine points in the game. The Irish extended their run to 21-3 and ultimately outscored the Eagles 30-11 in the third period.
Notre Dame cruised into the fourth period with a 72-33 advantage. The Irish turned to its bench in the final quarter, when Butler and Cole entered the scoring column to give Notre Dame nine offensive contributors in the game. For the 17th straight time at home, the Irish secured the win, topping Boston College, 89-60.
Player of the Game
Jessica Shepard finished with 24 points and eight rebounds en route to her third game of the season with 20-plus points. Shepard has recorded double-digit points in 14 games this season.
Notes
- Notre Dame leads the all-time series, 21-5, and have been the winners of 11 straight. Irish are unblemished at home against the Eagles at 13-0.
- Irish improve to 67-3 all-time in ACC play and are 35-0 against ACC foes inside Purcell Pavilion since joining the league.
- Mabrey set a season high with eight assists and has dished out at least five assists in seven of the past eight games.
- Patterson matched her career high of 11 points on Sunday. The freshman shot 4-of-7 from the field and went 3-of-6 from the free-throw line.
Up Next
The Irish remain home for two more games starting with No. 6 Tennessee in a 7 p.m. ET Thursday night primetime matchup on ESPN. Notre Dame then concludes the homestand with Clemson on Sunday, Jan. 21 at 1 p.m. on ACCN Extra.
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