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Notre Dame Women’s Basketball: Irish take down Boston College

By Jordan Small

SOUTH BEND, IN - DECEMBER 07: Brianna Turner #11 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish shoots the ball against Napheesa Collier #24 of the Connecticut Huskies at Purcell Pavilion on December 07, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - DECEMBER 07: Brianna Turner #11 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish shoots the ball against Napheesa Collier #24 of the Connecticut Huskies at Purcell Pavilion on December 07, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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The Notre Dame Women’s Basketball team got their sixth win in ACC play on Sunday afternoon, taking down Boston College, 92-63.

The Notre Dame women’s basketball team returned home on Sunday afternoon after beating Virginia Tech in Blacksburg on Wednesday night. It was a strong performance in front of the home crowd on Sunday as the Irish took down Boston College 92-63. Arike Ogunbowale led all scorers with 24 points. Jessica Shepard added a double-double of her own to help lead the Irish to victory.

Ogunbowale and Turner both found their rhythm once again

The past few games have not been the best for Brianna Turner and Arike Ogunbowale. On Sunday, though, both found their mojo again. Arike Ogunbowale was feeling it right from the beginning, totaling 13 points in the first quarter alone. She would finish with 24 points on 9 of 18 shooting. She also added five steals which allowed her to get out in transition, a very dangerous spot for her offensively.

When it came to Turner, she looked better on both ends of the floor. She had 16 points and eight rebounds, just short of a double-double. She also added two blocks, a steal, and two assists. It was a very complete game for the grad student both offensively and defensively.

Man defense from the Irish the difference maker

About half way through the first quarter, head coach Muffet McGraw made the decision to move away from their patented zone defense and had the Irish playing a man-to-man defense instead. So far this season, Notre Dame has stuck with the zone through and through because they have struggled mightily in the man defense. But on Sunday afternoon when they made the change, the Irish really rattled the Boston College offense. While they didn’t necessarily slow them down when it came to scoring, they forced a lot of turnovers, which allowed the Irish to get out in transition, a spot they succeed offensively. They probably won’t continue playing in a man defense for many games this season, but it was a good sign to see them respond well when called upon.

Next. Notre Dame Men's Basketball: Mistakes Pile Up in Loss to NC State. dark

Next Up

The Irish will now travel to Tennessee on Thursday night in Knoxville. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. The Volunteers are 12-5 on the year and 1-4 in the SEC. This will be the final regular season game against a non-conference opponent for the Irish this year.