Nov. 24, 2017
ESTERO, Fla. – The No. 6/6 University of Notre Dame women’s basketball team topped ETSU, 77-46, in its first of three games at the Gulf Coast Showcase on Friday at Germain Arena, advancing to Saturday’s semifinal round.
Notre Dame (4-0) limited ETSU (4-2) to a season-low 46 points, winning its third straight away from home during its seven-game road swing.
“I thought Arike (Ogunbowale) played well, Jackie (Young) gave us a lift and Jess (Shepard) rebounded well,” Karen and Kevin Keyes Women’s Basketball Head Coach Muffet McGraw said. “We have to play smarter. We have to be able to pass the ball, see the open woman – really the basics. We have to get better.”
How It Happened
Jessica Shepard led Notre Dame’s first-quarter attack, tallying seven points and helping the Irish defense limit ETSU to one field goal in the opening 4:29.
Defensively, Notre Dame held ETSU to 1-for-9 from the field over a six-minute span in the second quarter. Shepard and Arike Ogunbowale combined to shoot 8-for-11 in the first half, recording half of Notre Dame’s points and building a 44-28 halftime advantage.
ETSU pulled to within 11 points at 46-35 in the third quarter, but Notre Dame responded with back-to-back old-fashioned three-point plays from Marina Mabrey and Danielle Patterson to take a 59-37 lead after three.
Mikayla Vaughn‘s six points highlighted a dominant fourth quarter, which saw the Irish outscore ETSU 18-9 and ultimately secure the 77-46 victory.
Player of the Game
Arike Ogunbowale recorded her first double-double of the season and fourth of her career against ETSU. Ogunbowale totaled 12 points and 10 rebounds in the Irish victory.
Stat of the Game
ETSU entered the game averaging 72.2 points per game and were held to 46 points by Notre Dame. It marked the fewest points Notre Dame has allowed to a single opponent this season.
Other Notables
- Shepard, who entered the game averaging 7.3 points in the first quarter this season, hit the seven-point mark in tonight’s matchup versus ETSU.
- Notre Dame held its opponent to the lowest first quarter total so far this season, limiting ETSU to 12 points.
- Shepard recorded her third double-double of the season and 28th of her career. The junior finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
- Danielle Patterson earned a career best nine rebounds coming off the bench tonight.
- ETSU’s Tianna Tarter, who averages 16.4 points per game, was limited to eight points in the game.
Up Next
To reach the Gulf Coast Showcase championship contest, Notre Dame will have to go through a familiar foe in No. 17/16 South Florida on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Earlier this evening, the Bulls defeated Washington State, 82-45.
–ND–