Team

Game 25 Preview: Florida State

Game 25: #4/4 Notre Dame (21-3, 8-2) vs. #24/19 Florida State (20-3, 8-2)
 When:  Sunday, Feb. 10 | Noon ET
 Where:  Notre Dame, Ind. | Purcell Pavilion (9,149)
 Watch:  ESPN
 Listen:  Pulse FM 96.9/92.1/103.1 | Bob Nagle (PxP) | Listen Online
 Live Scoring:  StatBroadcast
 Notes:  Notre Dame | Florida State
 Social:  @NDWBB
 Promotion:  Pink Zone Game
 Reminder:  Irish have a clear bag policy for the 2018-19 season and moving forward

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The No. 4 Notre Dame women’s basketball team will play its second top-25 matchup of the week on Sunday, Feb. 10, when the Irish host No. 24 Florida State. Tip off inside Purcell Pavilion is set for Noon EST, airing live on ESPN. Sunday’s contest will also be Notre Dame’s Pink Zone game – an annual tradition honoring those brave women who have been affected by breast cancer. The Irish players will be wearing special Pink Zone warmups before the game while the coaching staff will adorn special polos. 

NO. 3 ON FIRE FROM THREE
Over the last four games, Marina Mabrey has shot a blazing 18-of-30 from three, connecting on 60.0 percent. Mabrey converted a season high six threes in back-to-back games against Clemson and Georgia Tech. 

Mabrey has raised her season three-point shooting percentage from .425 to .473 over the last four games. That number ranks fifth in the country and second in the ACC behind her sister Dara at Virginia Tech.

Marina has also raised her three-point field goals made per game from 2.3 to 2.7, which ranks 3rd in the ACC.

Lastly, Mabrey has officially surpassed her position coach, Beth (Morgan) Cunningham, for No. 3 all-time in career treys. moving up to 246 in her career. Up next is Sheila McMillen with 249, while Alicia Ratay holds the top spot at 262. 

BEST IRISH PLAYER IN ACC PLAY ONLY?
Only one Irish player ranks in the top 10 in five different statistical categories in ACC play only. The answer: Marina Mabrey.

Mabrey ranks 10th in Scoring (16.2), 7th in FG% (.541), 7th in Assists (4.2), 2nd in 3PT FG% (.531), and 1st in 3PT FG (3.4).

TURNER TIDBITS
The block party continues for Brianna Turner, who’s defensive production has ramped up. She’s collected 27 blocks over the last seven games, including a season high of five three times. 

In addition, on Jan. 31 at Clemson, Turner notched her sixth double-double on the year with 17 points and 10 rebounds – also earned a career high 6 steals. 

BEAST ON THE BOARDS
Since Shepard’s first two seasons were at Nebraska, her four-year career totals don’t count towards the Notre Dame record book. If it did, Shepard would be Notre Dame’s all-time rebounding record holder with 1,080 rebounds, surpassing Ruth Riley (1,007).

Shepard posted a 15-point, 18-rebound, double-double at Marquette (12/22). Her 18 rebounds marked her highest rebound total in an Irish uniform and was just two shy of her career high set at Nebraska.

Shepard is coming off a 17-point, 17-rebound double-double at Miami (2/7), which marked her third 15+ point, 15+ rebound, double-double on the year. 

BIG-GAME JACKIE
The title says it all about junior guard Jackie Young. Last season, the Irish played 16 ranked opponents and in those games Young outperformed her season scoring average, with 16.6 points on 51.8 percent shooting, to go with her 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists against top-25 teams.

The trend of Big Game Jackie has carried over into the 2018-19 season. Against seven ranked opponents this year, Young is averaging 16.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists. 

PROTECTING THE HOUSE
Purcell Pavilion continues to be one of the toughest venues to play in women’s hoops. Over the last 109 games at home, the Irish have only lost three times, with all three coming against UConn.

Notre Dame is 477-93 all-time inside Purcell Pavilion. The Irish have sold out Purcell Pavilion 55 times and boasts a 45-10 record in those instances.

Most notably, however, has been how dominant the Irish have been in league play at home. Notre Dame has won a school-record 55 consecutive home conference games, beginning with a 66-47 win over Providence on Feb. 14, 2012, in BIG EAST play. 

GETTING TO THE LINE
The Irish continue to attack the basket and reach the charity stripe, ranking first in the country in made free-throws with 401 and first in attempts with 556. 

Arike currently ranks 17th nationally in made free throws (111) and 15th in attempts (145). Against No. 2 Louisville on Jan. 10, Arike went a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line, which stood as the second best single-game performance in ND history, trailing just Ruth Riley & Ashley Barlow (13-for-13). 

GAME OF RUNS
Basketball is a game of runs, and the Irish have achieved success by not allowing a single 10-0 run by any opponent yet this season. In fact, Notre Dame leads its opposition, 28-0, in that category. Notre Dame recorded its best run of the season against Georgia Tech on Feb. 3, scoring 24 straight.