Nov. 28, 2017
| Game 7: #3/2 Notre Dame (6-0) AT #22/20 Michigan (4-1) | |
| When: | Wednesday, Nov. 29 | 6:00 pm ET |
| Where: | Ann Arbor, Mich. | Crisler Center (13, 571) |
| Watch: | Big Ten Network | Lisa Byington & Christy Winters Scott | BTN2Go |
| Listen: | PULSE FM 96.9 / 92.1 | Bob Nagle (PxP) |
| Live Scoring: |
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| Notes: | Notre Dame | Michigan |
| Social: | @NDWBB |
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The No. 3/2 Notre Dame women’s basketball team (6-0) continues its road tour with stop No. 6-of-7 in Ann Arbor, challenging No. 22/20 Michigan (4-1) as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Irish will be challenging its third straight top-25 ranked opponent and fourth overall this season.
Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. ET inside the Crisler Center, airing live on Big Ten Network with Lisa Byington and Christy Winters Scott on the call.
GULF COAST SHOWCASE CHAMPS
Three games, three days, three wins for the Irish, as Notre Dame claimed the 2017 Gulf Coast Showcase championship in Estero, Florida, over Thanksgiving weekend. The Irish first surged past ETSU in the first round before knocking off No. 17/16 USF, 76-66. Then, the Irish notched a dramatic come-from-behind victory over No. 3/2 South Carolina, trailing by 12-points in the second quarter before recording a 25-point swing, ultimately securing the title with a 92-85 win.
Notre Dame joins the likes of previous Gulf Coast Showcase champions Baylor (2016), Stanford (2015), UConn (2014) and Middle Tennessee (2013).
Lastly, Arike Ogunbowale was named to the All-Tournament Team while Jackie Young was named MVP after averaging 19.3 points and 7.7 rebounds.
YOUNG REELS IN THE HARDWARE
A day after earning Gulf Coast Showcase MVP honors and spearheading the charge to Notre Dame’s upset over South Carolina, sophomore guard Jackie Young continued to reel in the accolades. This time, the ACC office came calling and presented Young with her first career Player of the Week honor.
Young averaged 19.3 points and 7.7 rebounds over the three games in Florida, shooting 50.0 percent from the field. Young set a career high 23 points vs USF on Nov. 25, finishing the game strong with nine points in the fourth quarter. The Indiana native then followed that up with her first career double-double in upset win over South Carolina, recording 22 points and 10 rebounds. It also marked the first back-to-back 20-point games of Young’s career.
STREAK STOPPER
Knocking off No. 3/2 South Carolina, 92-85, did more than just secure the Irish the Gulf Coast Showcase trophy. First, Notre Dame put a stop to the defending national champion’s 17-game win streak. Second, Notre Dame’s 92 points marked the most against the Gamecocks since Dec. 20, 2009, when North Carolina won 93-85 in Myrtle Beach. Third, it marked Notre Dame’s first top-5 ranked win since previously knocking off South Carolina in the 2015 Final Four in Tampa.
COMEBACK KIDS
Twice now, on the road, vs top-20 ranked teams, Notre Dame has found itself trailing by double-digits and rallied to win the game.
The Irish trailed 44-33 at 8:01 in the third quarter at Oregon State, before fighting back to win 72-67.
In the Gulf Coast Showcase championship game vs South Carolina, the Irish went down 30-18 at 8:53 in the second, before going on to outscore the Gamecocks 48- 27 in the middle two periods, ultimately winning 92-85.
ACC/BIG TEN CHALLENGE
Notre Dame’s matchup at Michigan Wednesday night is in conjunction with this year’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Irish are undefeated at 4-0 in the challenge, since joining the ACC for the 2013-14 season.
Previously, Notre Dame defeated No. 10 Penn State, 77- 67, in 2013 in Happy Valley – downed No. 15 Maryland, 92-72, in 2014 in Fort Wayne – beat No. 10 Ohio State, 75-72, in 2015 in Purcell Pavilion – then last year, topped Iowa, 73-58, in Iowa City.
Overall, the ACC owns seven challenge titles (7-0-3) and boasts a 71-51 record in challenge games since its inception in 2007. In addition, the ACC has won at least six games in every challenge.
–ND–