| NCAA Bridgeport Regional: | #5 Seed Notre Dame |
|---|---|
| Where: | Bridgeport, CT | Total Mortgage Arena |
| Listen: | 99.9 WQLQ-FM | ND Radio Network |
| Notes: | ND Notes |
| Social: | @NDWBB |
| Sweet 16: | #1 seed NC State |
| When: | Saturday, March 26 | 11:30 am ET |
| Watch: | ESPN |
| Elite 8: | #2 seed UConn or #3 seed Indiana |
| When: | Monday, March 28 | TBD |
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The undefeated (RV) Notre Dame women’s basketball squad (4-0) looks to end its homestand on a high note against Bryant University (0-4) on Sunday, before embarking on a big early-season test in the Daytona Beach Invitational next week. The Fighting Irish are off to a hot start, ranking in the top-20 in the country in assists, blocks, rebounds and field goal percentage.
It’ll be a special tip start time of 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, with the game following a Notre Dame volleyball contest earlier in the day. The matchup will once again be streamed on ACCNX. The radio call can be heard on 99.9 WQLQ-FM.
Sunday’s matchup will mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
LOSING GAMES OUT
At ACC Media Day, Debbie Antonelli asked Dara Mabrey and Maddy Westbeld, 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 in 2021.
Out with the old Irish and in with the new. A 61-56 ND lead over Syracuse with 8:06 remaining in the game, and 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.
Case in point in the Fordham win as well – up just 54-47 with under eight minutes remaining, Westbeld answered the call with five straight points. Later on, Sonia Citron connected on a pivotal three with 4:19 left, which put the Irish up 64-48. Then the Irish defense put its foot down to seal the 71-56 victory.
A PAIR OF SUPER FRESHMEN
The future of the program is bright with freshmen Sonia Citron and Olivia Miles and both their versatile skill sets. 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.
Citron not only scored 13 points in her debut but notched a Stat-Sheet-Stuffer with seven boards and six assists. Then in the win over Fordham, she collected her first double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Citron has been everywhere on the court for Coach Ivey, ranking in the top-3 on the team in rebounds, assists and steals, while averaging 9.5 ppg.
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 four games, Miles boasts two S.S.S. performances.
Miles’ 6.8 apg rank 2nd in the ACC and 18th in the nation. She’s 1-of-2 freshmen in the country ranked in said top-18, joining Anaya James from Pacific.
All-in-all, Citron and Miles are two of just 12 freshman guards in the country who have produced at least one double-double, and just 2-of-3 from a power-five conference (the other being Shyanne Sellers from Maryland).
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 four straight this year. Maddy is nearly averaging a double-double here in November with her 16.3 ppg and 9.0 rpg. In addition, both averages rank in the top-6 in the ACC.
In addition, Dara Mabrey is coming off a 16 point, 4-steal, 7-assist performance at Syracuse. It marked a career high in steals and tied her career best in assists.
Then she was a woman possessed to start the Fordham game on Nov. 18. Dara went 6-for-6 in the first quarter, including 2-for-2 from deep, to total 15 points in the opening period. She ultimately finished with a season-high 20 points. Thus, over the past two games, Dara has totaled 36 points on a combined 12-of-18 shooting.
M&Ms
You’ve heard of the Killer B’s in a baseball lineup but the Irish are rolling with Team M&Ms this season.
Maya – averaging 12.8 points and 8.0 rebounds. She earned a career-high 11 rebounds in the win over Fordham on Nov. 18. Her now 8.0 rebounds/game ranks 8th in the ACC, but her 4.3 offensive boards/game leads the league. She’s also an intimidating defensive presence, as her 2.3 blocks/game ranks 4th in the ACC. She’s shooting 51.2 percent from the field, which ranks 11th in the league.
Maddy – 4 straight games in double figures and nearly averaging a double-double. She leads the Irish in both scoring (16.3) and rebounding (9.0). In addition, both those averages rank in the top-6 in the ACC. She’s also proving she’s a deep threat as well, making at least one trey every game. Her career high streak is six, set last season.
Miles – averaging 9.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 6.8 assists, as the latter ranks 2nd in the ACC and 18th in the nation. She owns one double-double and two stat-sheet-stuffer games.
Mabrey – averaging the second-most points (14.3) and assists (3.8), while leading the team in steals (1.8). Averaging 18.0 points and 4.0 assists in the last two games.
— ND —