GM 4 Preview: Fordham

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Notre Dame women’s basketball (3-0) is off to a hot start and looks to keep the momentum rolling when Fordham (2-0) visits Purcell Pavilion on Thursday, Nov. 18.  Tip is set for 7 p.m. ET, with the matchup streaming live on ACCNX. For tickets, please visit und.com/buytickets.

The Irish lead the all-time series against the Rams, 3-0. The two last squared off in the Bronx back on Nov. 5, 2019, when the Irish emerged with a 60-55 victory. Three current Irish scored in double figures in that game, as Sam Brunelle (14 pts) and Anaya Peoples (11 pts) each excelled in their Irish debut. Katlyn Gilbert also supplied 14 points in the road victory.

CLOSING THE GAME OUT

At ACC Media Day, Debbie Antonelli asked Dara and Maddy, can this team close out games? Dara talked about the sour taste in her mouth from three leads in ACC play, two by double-digits, that were given away in late-game situations resulting in losses that led to the Irish missing the Big Dance. 

Well this past Sunday, it was a different story. It was a 61-56 ND lead over Syracuse with 8:06 remaining in the game, and that’s when the Irish went full throttle, closing the game on a 21-0 scoring run. Westbeld was the catalyst in the quarter scoring nine points, followed by a pair of three’s from Mabrey. 

FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

First official games in an Irish uniform in the book and Notre Dame rookie Sonia Citron has already garnered her first ACC Freshman of the Week Award. Citron and the rest of the Fighting Irish started its season with three wins in six days, defeating Ohio, Western Illinois and fellow ACC foe Syracuse.

Citron averaged 8.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals on the week, all while shooting 45.5 percent from the floor.

M&Ms

Team M&Ms had quite the dominant week one for the Irish.

Maya – averaging 15.3 points and 7.0 rebounds. She’s leading the team in shooting percentage, knocking down 55.3 percent of her shots. She’s also getting it done defensively, racking up eight blocks over three games. In fact, her 2.7 blocks/game rank 40th in the country. 

Maddy – three straight games in double figures and nearly averaging a double-double. She leads the Irish in both scoring (15.7) and rebounding (9.7). In addition, both those averages rank in the top-10 in the ACC after the opening week. 

Miles – averaging 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.1 assists, as the latter leads the ACC and ranks ninth in the nation. 

Mabrey – averaging 12.3 points, 4.7 assists and 2.0 steals, as the latter leads the team. Mabrey is also converting 2.7 three-pointers per game. 

FRESHMEN MAKING IMPACTS

When it comes to Stat-Sheet-Stuffer games (at least 5-5-5 stats on the box score), it’s our two freshmen leading the way. 

Sonia Citron not only scored 13 points in her debut but notched a Stat-Sheet-Stuffer with 7 boards and 6 assists. 

Her fellow freshman Olivia Miles dished out a career high 11 assists in the opener, then followed that with her first double-double in game two – achieving career highs in points and rebounds. 

Through three games, Miles boasts two S.S.S. performances. 

WHO’S HOT

The obvious answer first – Maddy Westbeld. She started her freshman season with six straight games in double figures and she’s off to three straight this year. 

In addition, Dara Mabrey is coming off a 16 point, four-steal, seven-assist performance at Syracuse. It marked a career high in steals and tied her career best in assists. 

Then there’s Sam Brunelle. The junior has twice connected on at least eight made field goals through three games. She’s made a three in all three as well. She’s averaging 14.0 points off the bench, which ranks third on the team, while connecting on 53.1 percent of her shots. 

— ND —