Notre Dame Heads to JMU: Fighting Irish Eye Victory
Notre Dame’s women’s basketball team is set to take on James Madison University (JMU) this Sunday. The matchup will be broadcast on ESPN+ at 4 p.m. ET. The Fighting Irish, currently ranked No. 19, have a season record of 7-2 and are 1-0 in conference play.
Recent Performance Highlights
After a decisive victory over Morehead State, where they won 92-46, the Fighting Irish displayed remarkable shooting, landing 13 three-pointers. This performance came shortly after hitting eight against Florida State, resulting in a 44.7% shooting rate from beyond the arc across both games.
Key Players to Watch
- Hannah Hidalgo: A standout player, Hidalgo recorded a double-double against Morehead State with 26 points and 11 rebounds. She leads the nation in steals, averaging 5.6 per game, and ranks first in the ACC with an impressive 25.9 points per game. Hidalgo recently earned her ninth ACC Player of the Week award, placing her tied for third in the conference history.
- Cassandre Prosper: Prosper also had a stellar performance against Morehead State, with 20 points and 13 rebounds. This marked her first career double-double. She significantly improved her average from last season, jumping from 5.8 points per game to 14.9 this year, reflecting a remarkable increase of 156.9%.
- Vanessa de Jesus and Gisela Sanchez: Both players tied their career highs in three-point shooting against Morehead State, with de Jesus hitting four and Sanchez sinking three.
Defensive Dominance
Notre Dame’s defense has been impressive this season. The team ranks fourth nationally with an average of 15.8 steals per game and leads the ACC in several categories including scoring offense (83.2 points/game), field goal percentage (47.9%), and free throw percentage (81.2%). Notably, the Irish have not allowed any fast break points in three games this year.
Historical Context
In terms of their history against JMU, Notre Dame holds a 1-2 record. The only previous matchup this season saw them dominate the Dukes with a 92-46 victory. Coach Ivey has yet to face another Sun Belt team since taking the helm at Notre Dame.
This upcoming game is crucial for the Fighting Irish as they aim to continue their winning momentum and enhance their record, positioning themselves favorably as the season progresses.
