Team

Game 27 Preview: NC State

Game 27: #6/6 Notre Dame (23-3, 10-2) vs. #12/11 NC State (22-2, 9-2)
 When:  Monday, Feb. 18 | 7 pm ET
 Where:  Raleigh, N.C. | Reynolds Coliseum (5,500)
 Watch:  ESPN2 | WatchESPN
 Listen:  Pulse FM 96.9/92.1/103.1 | Bob Nagle (PxP) | Listen Online
 Live Scoring:  Sidearm
 Notes:  Notre Dame | NC State
 Social:  @NDWBB
 Reminder:  Irish have a clear bag policy for the 2018-19 season and moving forward

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Two of the top-4 teams in the ACC standings will come to a head on Monday evening on national television, when No. 6 Notre Dame women’s basketball travels to No. 12 NC State on Feb. 18. Tip is set for 7 p.m. ET inside Reynolds Coliseum, airing live on ESPN2. The Irish lead the all-time series, 6-1, but look to avenge a loss two seasons ago at NC State. 

CHASING SKYLAR
Senior guard Arike Ogunbowale is closing in on the Notre Dame all-time scoring record. First off, Ogunbowale surpassed the 2,000 career point milestone on Dec. 16 vs. Binghamton, becoming the fifth player to do so, joining Irish greats, Ruth Riley, Katryna Gaither, Beth Morgan and Skylar Diggins.

Ogunbowale just surpassed Morgan this past Wednesday for the No. 2 spot and is within striking distance of the record, entering Monday’s game with 2,324 career points – just 33 points back from Skylar Diggins (2,357).

RPI TOP-25 WINS
With wins over Gonzaga, Drake, Iowa, Marquette, Louisville and now Florida State, the Irish boast six RPI top-25 victories and six top-25 ranked teams, which continues to lead the country.

IRISH SHARPSHOOTERS
The Irish currently boast four players in the top 60 in shooting percentage, all shooting over 50 percent.
14. Shepard – 60.4 percent
15. Turner – 60.4 percent
31. Young – 55.2 percent
59. Mabrey – 51.9 percent

The two towers of Shepard and Turner have proven to be a dangerous combination down low, ranking 2nd and 3rd, respectively, in the ACC in shooting percentage (1st & 2nd in ACC play only).

In addition, Young continues to be the most efficient guard in Notre Dame’s arsenal. Her .552 shooting percentage ranks 4th nationally among just guards.

As a team, the Irish are shooting 51.5 percent, which ranks third in the country, while Iowa takes the top spot at 52.4 percent. 

WHO’S HOT
Jessica Shepard has achieved 10 straight games in doubles figures. Furthermore, Shepard has earned double-doubles in two of the past three games.

Freshman guard Abby Prohaska has garnered nine steals over the last five games. Her 1.8 steals/game in that span ranks fourth on the team.

TURNER BLOCK PARTY
With 18 blocks over the last four games, Turner is averaging 4.5 blocks in the month of February. Only Alexes Bryant of Texas A&M CC has a better total (23) and average (5.75) this month.

Turner has collected 35 blocks over the last nine games, which included her season high of five four times in that span.

Turner is averaging 2.7 blocks per game, which leads all players in the ACC and ranks 10th in the nation. In addition, she is averaging 3.3 blocks/game in league play.

Turner is currently chasing Notre Dame great Ruth Riley for the all-time mark (370 career blocks), sitting with 334 blocks heading into Monday’s matchup.

NO. 3 ON FIRE FROM THREE
Over last six games: Mabrey has converted 21-of-38 (.552) from beyond the arc – In that span, only two players have made over 20 treys and have a higher shooting percentage –> Maine’s Parise Rossignol and Oregon’s Erin Boley.

Mabrey tied the best stretch of her career (2016-17 season) with 3 straight games of 20 or more points from Jan. 27-Feb.3. She shot a blazing 16-of-23 from three, connecting on 69.6 percent.

Mabrey has raised her season three-point shooting percentage from .425 to .466 over the last six games. That number ranks 7th in the country. Mabrey has also raised her three-point field goals made per game from 2.3 to 2.6, which ranks 5th in the ACC.

Lastly, Mabrey’s 249 career treys ties Sheila McMillen for the No. 2 spot all-time at ND. Alicia Ratay holds the record with 262. 

DOUBLE-DOUBLES BY A GUARD
Jackie Young has made an elite list in the lore of Notre Dame guards. With 15 points and 10 boards at Boston College on Feb. 13, Young achieved her fifth double-double on the year and 10th of her career. Her 10 double-doubles ties Krissi Davis for third most all-time by a guard. The top two spots belong to Lindsay Schrader (17) and Niele Ivey (12).