#6 Notre Dame defeated Pittsburgh on Thursday in their only game this week. The team also picked up a new commitment from Class of 2018 point guard Jenna Brown.

Game Summaries & Observations

This Thursday night, sixth-ranked Notre Dame took on Pittsburgh in a seemingly rare home game, and came away with a comfortable win. Things really clicked for the Irish, who certainly look more comfortable running their offense at home. Once again, Arike Ogunbowale was the team’s leading scorer with 19 points and the team won 86-54. Since I’ve complained about this in recent weeks, I want to point out one of my favorite stats from this game: the team made 27 of 30 free throws (90%). After seeming to struggle from the line this season, it was nice to see them take advantage of these opportunities.

The game was not close for long, which gave Notre Dame’s starters a chance to get some rest. The bench players seized their opportunity to play expanded minutes, outscoring Pitt’s bench 39-23. Among the standouts from the bench were freshman Jackie Young with 15 points and eight rebounds in 25 minutes, and senior Kristina Nelson with 13 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes. Also coming off the bench, Ali Patberg scored her first collegiate points, making two free throws with 1:19 remaining in the first half. After suffering a torn ACL last season, and missing significant playing time with a virus this season, I’m sure she was glad to finally hit this milestone. Notre Dame dominated in pretty much every aspect of this game, from points in the paint (34-10) to rebounding (41-19). I wouldn’t mind seeing more games like this over the next few weeks.

Other WBB News

This week, Notre Dame recruits Katlyn Gilbert and Abby Prohaska were joined by a third commitment from the class of 2018. Point guard Jenna Brown, who attends the Lovett School in Atlanta, Georgia, announced her intention to play for the Irish. ESPN ranks Brown as the top point guard in her class. She played for Team USA in the U17 World Championships this summer. Brown is currently rehabbing a knee injury, but is planning to return to competition this summer. During her sophomore year at The Lovett School, she averaged 18.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. Her addition to the class provides some long-term security at the point guard position. Following the graduation of Lindsay Allen after this season and Lili Thompson’s one remaining year of eligibility next season, Patberg will be needing some help and hopefully Brown will provide it.

In other news, the Wooden Award committee released their Midseason Top 25 this week, which included both Lindsay Allen and Brianna Turner.

Burger Basket Leaderboard

At Notre Dame home games where the Irish score 88 points or more, the fans in attendance receive coupons for a free burger. We’re tracking which player is responsible for feeding the fans the most often over the course of the season.

It was close, but there is no change this week. The team fell just short of the 88-point mark despite a couple of good chances at the end of the game.

Erin Boley – 2
Jackie Young – 2
Arike Ogunbowale – 1

Coming Up

Notre Dame visits Tennessee for a Big Monday game, then travels to Boston College on Thursday and North Carolina on Sunday in another road-game filled week.