Irish Triumph Over Dukes in Dominant Victory – Notre Dame Athletics

The No. 19 Notre Dame Fighting Irish secured a commanding road victory over the James Madison Dukes, with a score of 78-65. This victory on Sunday afternoon elevates the Irish’s record to 8-2 for the current season.

Outstanding Performances

Cassandre Prosper led the game with a remarkable 24 points, shooting 11-of-16 from the field. Malaya Cowles also shone brightly, achieving a season-high of 17 points and contributing five steals, her best performance since joining Notre Dame. Hannah Hidalgo added 13 points, continuing her scoring streak.

Game Statistics

• Total turnovers: Notre Dame 9, James Madison 19
• Points off turnovers: Notre Dame 21, James Madison 4
• First-quarter score: Notre Dame 25, James Madison 12
• Final score: Notre Dame 78, James Madison 65

Game Progression

Throughout the match, the Fighting Irish built an early 13-point lead, dominating the first quarter 25-12. Prosper, Iyana Moore, and Hidalgo collectively scored 23 of Notre Dame’s opening 25 points. JMU struggled offensively, managing only 25% shooting in the first quarter.

As the game continued, the Irish maintained a solid performance, edging the second quarter 15-14, securing a halftime lead of 40-26. Notre Dame capitalized on JMU’s six turnovers in that period for seven points scored.

After halftime, the Irish expanded their lead to 20 points. However, James Madison mounted a brief comeback with a 7-0 run, closing the gap to 56-43 by the third quarter’s end. The Irish responded and finished the quarter strong, leading 60-45 entering the final frame.

Final Quarter Dynamics

In the fourth quarter, JMU fought back, narrowing the lead to single digits at 61-52. A timely timeout by Notre Dame sparked a quick five-point response, increasing the lead to 66-52. The Fighting Irish maintained their advantage, never allowing the Dukes to come closer than 12 points, ultimately winning 78-65.

Milestones and Records

Prosper’s 24-point outing marks her third consecutive game with 20 or more points, a feat she previously achieved only twice in her career. Additionally, Hidalgo now holds the program record for consecutive games scoring in double figures at 77.

Notre Dame continues to excel, having won eight of their first ten games for the fifth consecutive season. The Irish have also recorded double-digit steals in 9 out of 10 games and achieved a remarkable 23 straight wins against unranked teams.

Looking Ahead

Notre Dame will return to Purcell Pavilion for their next matchup against Bellarmine. This game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 21, and will be available on ACCNX.