| Game 2: #1/1 Notre Dame (1-0) vs. Penn (1-0) | |
| When: | Monday, Nov. 12 | 7:00 pm ET |
| Where: | Notre Dame, Ind. | Purcell Pavilion (9,149) |
| Watch: | ACCN Extra Stream |
| Listen: | Pulse FM 96.9/92.1/103.1 | Bob Nagle (PxP) | Listen Online |
| Live Scoring: | StatBroadcast |
| Notes: | Notre Dame | Penn |
| Social: | @NDWBB |
| Pregame: | 2018 national championship banner drop | National Anthem by Cathy Richardson |
| Reminder: | Irish have a clear bag policy for the 2018-19 season and moving forward |
| Picture Op: | The Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year Trophy will be making a stop Monday in the Fun Zone |
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The No. 1 University of Notre Dame women’s basketball team (1-0) will officially close the book on last season’s celebrations on Monday, Nov. 12, when the Irish drop their 2018 national championship banner ahead of their matchup versus the Penn Quakers (1-0). The banner unveiling will happen before the game and be followed by a special performance of the national anthem from Cathy Richardson.
PICKING UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF
In the national championship game, Jessica Shepard led the Irish in scoring with 19 points, while Arike Ogunbowale followed right behind with 18 points. Both were named to the NCAA All-Final Four Team.
In Friday’s season opening 103-58 win over Harvard, the pair picked up right where they left off as Ogunbowale poured in 30 points while Shepard tallied 28 points. The combined 58 points marked the best duo performance of all Division I in the opening weekend of play.
Individually, Ogunbowale’s 30-point performance was the fifth of her career and two points shy of her career high. The senior was 1-of-14 players to score at least 30 points in their respective season opener.
WELCOME BACK
The Irish welcomed back two players from injury in graduate student Brianna Turner and sophomore Mikayla Vaughn.
Turner is a three-time All-American, three-time First Team All-ACC selection and two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year. In Turner’s first game back, she responded with an 11-point, 11-rebound, double-double – the 22nd of her career.
Vaughn’s re-emergence in the season opener was equally as strong with career highs in points (12), made field goals (6) and blocks (4).
OFF AND RUNNING
Don’t blink or you’ll miss the Irish offense. Notre Dame recorded 19 fast break points in the season-opening win over Harvard, which tied its season high from last year.
In addition, the Irish netted three double-digit runs on the Crimson, with their longest run stretching to 15 consecutive points.
DOMINANT THIRD QUARTER
Speaking of offensive prowess, the Irish totaled 36 points in the third quarter versus Harvard, where they shot 14-of-21 from the field (.667) and converted 8-of-10 from the free-throw line.
It marked the most points scored in a quarter since the Irish scored 38 in the second quarter versus Valpo at home on Dec. 4, 2016.
THE SERIES
Notre Dame leads the all-time series versus Penn, 4-0. The two met last season in Philadelphia, with the Irish emerging with a hard-fought 66-54 victory. The Quakers are coming off of a 58-51 win over Siena on the road. Junior guard Phoebe Sterba and sophomore center Eleah Parker led Penn in scoring with 16 and 12 points, respectively.