Irish Prepare for Showdown with No. 22 Carolina

Notre Dame’s women’s basketball team is set to face No. 22 North Carolina in a highly anticipated matchup. Following a decisive victory over Boston College, the Irish are eager to continue their success at home.

Matchup Details

The game will take place on Sunday at Purcell Pavilion, starting at 1 p.m. ESPN will broadcast the event, featuring commentators Mark Neeley and Debbie Antonelli.

Recent Performance

In their last game, Notre Dame showcased an impressive offensive display against Boston College, winning 94-60. This victory marked their highest shooting accuracy in a conference game since 1999, with a shooting percentage of 65.4%. They also excelled at three-point shooting, going 7-for-10 from beyond the arc— the best overall percentage since 2020.

Player Highlights

• Cassandre Prosper led the team with 27 points and 13 rebounds, nearly reaching her career highs.
• Malaya Cowles contributed a season-high 20 points, while Hannah Hidalgo and Iyana Moore each scored 16 points.
• Moore achieved a remarkable 4-for-5 from three-point range, including a buzzer-beating shot at the end of the first quarter.

Iyana Moore currently tops the ACC with a three-point shooting percentage of 44.6%. Meanwhile, Hidalgo leads the nation in steals, averaging 5.9 per game, and leads the ACC in scoring with 24.7 points per game.

Team Statistics

Notre Dame’s defensive efforts have also been commendable. They allowed only 19 rebounds against Boston College, the least since 2018. Furthermore, the Irish maintain an impressive home record, standing at 9-0 this season and averaging 93.1 points per game at Purcell Pavilion.

Historical Context

This weekend’s matchup holds additional significance as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of Notre Dame’s 2001 national title team. The team, including current head coach Niele Ivey, will be recognized during halftime of the game.

Career Records and Rankings

Notre Dame boasts an all-time record of 11-5 against North Carolina, with a strong 5-1 home record against the Tar Heels. Four players on the current roster average at least 2 steals per game, distinguishing them within the ACC.

As the Irish prepare for this showdown against a ranked opponent, they aim to demonstrate their continued growth and skill on the court.