Feb. 11, 2018
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NOTRE DAME, Ind. — The No. 5 University of Notre Dame women’s basketball team utilized a strong second half surge to claim an 85-69 victory over Georgia Tech inside Purcell Pavilion on Sunday afternoon.
Arike Ogunbowale (27 points) and Jackie Young (22 points) each recorded 20-point games, combining for 49 points for the Irish (23-2, 11-1). The victory over the Yellow Jackets (15-11, 4-9) marked Notre Dame’s eighth straight on the season and 21st straight victory at home.
“It was a really good second half. I found it interesting that it was a reverse of what happened at Georgia Tech,” Karen and Kevin Keyes Family Women’s Basketball Head Coach Muffet McGraw said. “In the second half, we buckled down defensively and that was a big key.”
How It Happened
Notre Dame’s Arike Ogunbowale got the offense started in the first quarter, scoring the team’s first eight points. Jessica Shepard picked up right where she left off, scoring the next six points for the Irish, as Notre Dame claimed a 14-9 lead. By the end of the first, the Irish had recorded nine made field goals on eight assists, leading the Yellow Jackets, 21-17.
With a few minutes left in the second quarter, Georgia Tech staged a rally with an 8-0 run that handed the visiting team a 36-33 lead. However, Kathryn Westbeld scored six of the last eight points for the Irish, including a buzzer-beating lay-up that knotted the game at 39-all at the half. Westbeld and Jackie Young combined for 16 of the team’s 18 points in the quarter.
The Irish, who scored the last four points of the half, started the third quarter on a 6-0 run, receiving points from Ogunbowale, Shepard and Young. However, Georgia Tech began to creep back into the game, cutting the deficit to 54-52 at the 4:03 mark. That’s when the Irish found another gear, recording a 10-0 run in under a two-minute span, ultimately taking a 64-54 lead into the final period.
One minute into the fourth, the Irish surged with yet another double-digit run, scoring 13 straight points to jump out to a 79-56 lead. Later, an Ogunbowale three-pointer put the finishing touch on the game, as Notre Dame earned the 85-69 victory.
Player of the Game
Young tied her career high in made field goals, shooting an impressive 10-of-13 from the field, finishing with 22 points on the afternoon, one shy of her career high. Young also secured a season high five steals and dished out seven assists, which is one shy of her career high.
Stat of the Game
The Irish tallied 22 assists in today’s victory, and have now recorded 20-plus assists in four of the last six games. Furthermore, for five straight games, the Irish have tallied double-digit fast break points, finishing with 18 this afternoon.
Notes
- Notre Dame remains unblemished against Georgia Tech, now 10-0 all time, with a 5-0 mark at home.
- Irish are 73-3 all-time in ACC play.
- Irish have won 21-straight inside Purcell Pavilion.
- Irish have won 48 consecutive conference games at home.
- Young tallied her seventh game of 20-plus points, finishing one point shy of her career best with 22 this afternoon.
- Ogunbowale earned her 16th game of 20-plus points, which continues to lead all players in the ACC. Ogunbowale finished with a game-high 27 points.
- After a 5-for-5 shooting performance, Westbeld has now shot 19-of-25 (76.0 percent) over the last four games.
- The Irish have tallied double-digit fast-break points in five straight games, finishing with 18 today.
- The Irish have dished out 20-plus assists in four of the last six games, finishing with 22 this afternoon.
- Notre Dame has garnered at least 14 steals in six of the last eight games.
- In the last eight games, only one opponent has reached double-digit made free throws. Georgia Tech finished 5-of-7 today.
- Irish tallied 56 points in the paint against Georgia Tech. Notre Dame has now recorded at least 50 points in the past five times over the last 10 games.
- Jessica Shepard recorded her ninth double-double on the year with 15 points and 11 rebounds. It also marked her second straight and her 20th game this season with double-digit points.
- Kathryn Westbeld earned her eighth game in double figures, finishing with 10 points on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting.
Up Next
The Irish prepare for its last week on the road during the regular season, first departing to Virginia for a Thursday, Feb. 15, tip-off at 7 p.m. ET on ACCN Extra. Then, Notre Dame heads to Boston College on Sunday, Feb. 18, for a 1 p.m. start.
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