Notre Dame Women’s Basketball: Weekly WBB Wednesday Report

Back At It Again With The WBB Report

Sorry, people, for no report last week. We are out here with some more coverage on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Women’s Basketball team. Let’s jump right into it, shall we? We have a couple of weeks to cover.

First Week of February

On February 1, the women’s team (23-2, 11-1) went back home to Purcell Pavilion to take on the UNC Tar Heels. Continuing that theme of dominance, the Irish lost no momentum in front of the trusty home crowd. Led by Marina Mabrey and her season-high 25 points, the Irish never looked back from a lead over UNC. It was pretty much the same story: stifling defense and a productive offense (28 assists for the team). Final score 94-62.

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

A few days after that home win, on Super Bowl Sunday, the Irish found themselves against a bit of a tougher opponent in the Duke Blue Devils. Duke was Number 19 in the country going into this game against the Number 5 Irish.

It was a back-and-forth game in the first three quarters, as Duke tied the game 36-36 after a 33-29 halftime lead by the Irish. Fortunately, after the Blue Devils tied the game in the third quarter, back-to-back threes helped the Irish take a 42-38 lead. After that, the Irish took over and went on a 12-2 run. Never looking back, the team took a 72-54 victory back to South Bend.

Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Last Week

There was just one game for the Irish in the second full week of February. This past Sunday, the team took on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. It was a fairly tight match up in the first half, as Georgia Tech had an 8-0 run late in the second quarter to take a 36-33 lead. However, the Irish clawed back to tie the game 39-39 at the half after a Kathryn Westbeld buzzer beater 3-pointer.

After the Yellow Jackets cut the lead to two points in the third quarter, just looking to hang around and play the spoiler, the Irish turned on the jets. In two minutes, they went on a 10-0 run, and they followed that up with a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter. Eventually, talent and willpower prevailed, as the final score was 85-69. Arike Ogunbowale and Jackie Young both had 20+ point games as well.

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Important Points of Note

• The Irish still only have just the two losses on the season: one to UConn (Number 1) and one to conference foe Louisville (Number 4)
• Those wins these past two weeks keep the Irish at Number 5 in the country
• The game against Georgia Tech was the annual “Pink Zone” Game that sees both teams donning pink. There is also always a special halftime presentation highlighting and showing praise to breast cancer survivors. Always a cool and inspiring day.

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Upcoming Games

This coming week, the Irish have to travel and continue to be road warriors. Tomorrow (2/15), the Irish travel to Charlottesville to take on Virginia. That game is at 7 PM on ACC Network Extra. On Sunday (2/18), the Irish travel to Chestnut Hill to play Boston College. That one is at 1 PM also on ACC Network Extra.

Go Irish.