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Notre Dame Women’s Basketball: Arike Ogunbowale’s pass is dark horse for ESPY’s Best Play

By Ben Belden

TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 07: Arike Ogunbowale #24 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish attempts a shot against DiDi Richards #2 of the Baylor Lady Bears during the first quarter in the championship game of the 2019 NCAA Women's Final Four at Amalie Arena on April 07, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 07: Arike Ogunbowale #24 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish attempts a shot against DiDi Richards #2 of the Baylor Lady Bears during the first quarter in the championship game of the 2019 NCAA Women's Final Four at Amalie Arena on April 07, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame women’s basketball alumna Arike Ogunbowale has moved on to the WNBA, but it was a play in February that landed her an ESPY nomination.

Notre Dame women’s basketball alumna Arike Ogunbowale is no stranger to ESPY nominations. Last summer, Ogunbowale won the ESPY for Best Play after hitting an unbelievable, last-second, game-winning, fall-away three-pointer against Mississippi State to give the Irish their second National Championship in program history.

This year, Ogunbowale is a candidate in the same category, but it is for a play that had far less fanfare, but all of the flash.

The Irish traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina in February for a conference matchup with a pesky North Carolina State squad. After a hotly contested first half that saw the Irish carve out a 41-36 lead at halftime, the Irish pulled away in the second half, eventually winning the game 95 to 72.

Although Ogunbowale has become well-known for her late-game heroics, it was in the early parts of this game that saw her execute the fast break that was worthy of an ESPY nomination.

The break started like so many others did for the Irish throughout the season: With a block by Brianna Turner.

With 5:50 to go in the first quarter, Turner denied an NC State layup at the rim. Jackie Young ran down the loose ball and fired a pass ahead for Ogunbowale. The pass, however, led Ogunbowale a little too far. It was no problem for the Irish star, however, as she was able to chase the ball down just before it crossed the baseline. As her momentum carried her out of bounds, Ogunbowale used her left hand to fire an unreal behind-the-back pass across the floor, back to Turner for a layup, plus a foul. For a complete look at the play, click here.

The greatest part of the play is that Ogunbowale made it look so effortless.

Next. How would an All-Notre Dame NFL team look in 2019?. dark

Ogunbowale’s play has some tough competition, so it probably can only be considered a dark horse. Nonetheless, it was a great play by one of Notre Dame’s most decorated players. For a complete list of her competition and a look at all the other ESPY nominations, click here.