VANCOUVER – The No. 1 Notre Dame women’s basketball team overcame a 14-point deficit and defeated No. 9 Oregon State, 91-81, in the Vancouver Showcase championship game. The Fighting Irish (6-0) recorded 50 second-half points to rally against the Beavers (5-1), receiving 20-plus scoring games from Brianna Turner, Arike Ogunbowale and Jackie Young
Ogunbowale was named the Vancouver Showcase MVP, as her 21 points tonight brought her tournament total to 72 points. Furthermore, Young was named to the All-Tournament Team, dropping 23 points against the Beavers.
In addition, Turner finished with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Jessica Shepard secured a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
How It Happened
Oregon State began the game on a hot shooting spree, shooting 70.6 percent in the first quarter (12-of-17 FG), which included a 5-for-7 mark from beyond the arc. Young and Ogunbowale combined for 13 points in the period, but the Irish trailed 29-17 after one.
The Beavers built a lead as large as 14 points in the second quarter, up 38-24 at the 7:53 mark. The Irish then chipped away by producing a 7-0 run over the next 2:14, cutting it to 38-31. Young would score the next six points for the Irish, as a Shepard layup at 2:24 shortened the deficit to 43-39. Yet, Oregon State garnered a little momentum right before the half, capitalizing from the free-throw line to take a 50-41 halftime lead.
The Irish started the third quarter on a 5-0 run, but Oregon State responded with back-to-back threes. An and-one from Turner later kicked off an Irish 6-0 run that cut the deficit to 58-57. Yet, the Beavers held onto the lead for the remainder of the quarter, as Ogunbowale took the ball coast to coast in a five-second span at the buzzer to head into the fourth down 70-68.
Notre Dame scored the first four points of the fourth quarter, garnering its first lead of the game, up 72-70 with 8:38 remaining. Tied at 77-all with 3:43 left, Mabrey delivered from way beyond the arc, and moments later, Turner and Shepard extended the lead to 10. The Irish then carried that momentum into the 91-81 final.
Moment of the Game
Marina Mabrey certainly made the most out of her limited minutes on Saturday, tallying nine points, including the clutch three-pointer with 3:43 left in the game.
Notes
- Notre Dame now leads the all-time series, 4-0, against Oregon State.
- Coach McGraw earned career win No. 894.
- A year after winning the Gulf Coast Showcase Championship, the Irish emerged victorious in the Vancouver Showcase.
- The Irish pick up their first top-10 win on the year and second win against a ranked team. Last year, Notre Dame led the nation in ranked wins with 13.
- Ogunbowale has now recorded six straight games with 20-plus points, marking a new career high stretch for the senior. Last season, she shattered the Notre Dame single-season record for 20-plus scoring games with 25.
- Ogunbowale now has 39 career games with 20-plus points, which is good for fourth all-time at Notre Dame. Next up is Skylar Diggins-Smith in third with 45.
- Senior Marina Mabrey played in her first game of the season, totaling nine points.
- Shepard earned her third double-double on the year.
- Young secured her second straight game with 20-plus points.
Up Next
Up next, the Irish return home for two straight games, welcoming No. 12 Iowa on Thursday, Nov. 29, followed by No. 2 UConn on Sunday, Dec. 2.
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