ND Hits Paint Hard Against DePaul in Victory

[Dillon77]

I'm placing this in the UConn side of the ledger for one reason only: Huskies play DePaul in the same arena in a week or so. Some lessons learned.

The game was a track meet, but ND eked out a victory by going to the paint: Maya Dodson (hardly an offensive powerhouse) had a career high and Maddy Westbeld got what she needed. Here's an immediate recap from ND's press office.

"CHICAGO — The No. 20/17 Notre Dame women’s basketball squad (11-2) won the track meet against the No. 1 offense in the country (RV/RV) in DePaul (11-3), outpacing the Blue Demons by the score of 91-86.

The victory marked Notre Dame’s first NET top-50 win of the year and evened the series in Chicago against DePaul at 11-11.

Maya Dodson achieved a career high career 28 points, including 10 straight in crunch time late in the fourth quarter. Maddy Westbeld supplied a season high 22 points, while Olivia Miles netted 20 points. It marked the first time the Irish had three 20-point scorers since Jessica Shepard (30), Jackie Young (21), Brianna Turner (20) vs Louisville on March 10, 2019.

The stat of the game goes to Notre Dame’s rebounding and second chance points – both of which they dominated. The Irish owned a 24-5 offensive rebounding advantage, which translated to 29-1 second chance points. Overall, the Irish owned a 51-26 rebounding advantage."

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Dillon's druthers:

• DePaul's Morrow is quite good, but she's an undersized 6'1" power forward who has a quick first step. Ms. Edwards should match up on her immediately.
• DePaul's guards are all quick and have definitive moves to the hoop or paint for layups or pull ups. Some ND guards had issues with this (Mabrey, Citron), which is why Abby Prohaska and Anaya Peoples were handy to defend. Westbrook and Williams should watch the drive to the basket if UConn goes man.
• Rebounding and 2nd chance points. Irish just pounded them. Huskies should flood the lane, too.

- Time to get Dorka, ONO and Ms. Edwards ready on offense.

- Random Irish thought: Miles is getting better game by game.

Geno always handles DePaul well, but there's a lot of good athletes on his squad. Get ready to run.

 

[Plebe]

So it goes on the UConn side of the board because DePaul ... but the overwhelming majority of your post is about Notre Dame.

Should be on the general board. There's already a thread there just for Notre Dame.

 

[eebmg]

On the DePaul side, Lexi Held was awesome with dynamic drives, clutch 3pt shots and a solid mid range while all 5 starters were good with 13+ points each. But post defense was non existent. If UConn posts do not feast on this bunch, something is very wrong.

 

[TeamFirst!]

Depaul shot over 50% and still lost. Something like 36 for 69.

 

[Dillon77]

On the DePaul side, Lexi Held was awesome with dynamic drives, clutch 3pt shots and a solid mid range while all 5 starters were good with 13+ points each. But post defense was non existent. If UConn posts do not feast on this bunch, something is very wrong.

DePaul shot 50%+ in this game! As you noted, Held was superb: 7-9 and she played all 40 minutes, bottling up Mabrey the entire game.

DePaul was pretty much doubled up in rebounding and second-chance points for ND put them over the top.
And it wasn't just ND's forwards: Peoples and Citron were hitting the boards as well. The entire UConn team should have an invitation to the paint party.

 

[donalddoowop]

DePaul made Dodson look like an AA. As was noted, UConn should focus on getting the ball down low. The DePaul player is Morris, not Morrow. She does not usually hurt UConn. Substitutions will be needed in this game or UConn may tire for sure in the fourth quarter. However, UConn usually handles DePaul without much trouble.

 

[Dillon77]

DePaul made Dodson look like an AA. As was noted, UConn should focus on getting the ball down low. The DePaul player is Morris, not Morrow. She does not usually hurt UConn. Substitutions will be needed in this game or UConn may tire for sure in the fourth quarter. However, UConn usually handles DePaul without much trouble.

I'll take your word that UConn has handled DePaul guard Sonya Morris, who had 15 points last night against ND.

The player I was referring to is Aneesah Morrow, who had 19 points and 10 rebounds. For the season, she's averaging 18.7 ppg and 12.00 rpg. She's a freshman from Chicago's Simeon HS and is undersized, but quicik on her feet and tough.
Here's a link to her DePaul bio:

Aneesah Morrow - WOMEN'S BASKETBALL - DePaul University Athletics

Aneesah Morrow (24) Forward - Morrow Career Stats (PDF) Career: 2021-22 All-American Second Team by Associated Press (AP), U.S. Basketball Writers A...

depaulbluedemons.com

 

[donalddoowop]

I'll take your word that UConn has handled DePaul guard Sonya Morris, who had 15 points last night against ND.

The player I was referring to is Aneesah Morrow, who had 19 points and 10 rebounds. For the season, she's averaging 18.7 ppg and 12.00 rpg. She's a freshman from Chicago's Simeon HS and is undersized, but quicik on her feet and tough.
Here's a link to her DePaul bio:

Aneesah Morrow - WOMEN'S BASKETBALL - DePaul University Athletics

Aneesah Morrow (24) Forward - Morrow Career Stats (PDF) Career: 2021-22 All-American Second Team by Associated Press (AP), U.S. Basketball Writers A...

depaulbluedemons.com

Sorry. Should have known you know the difference between Morrow and Morris. I now know who you are talking about. She looks as if she will be really good. Did not know her name but was very impressed. Don't know if UConn can stop her. Also, with the talent ND will have the next two seasons they should be a top ten team. Don't know what recruits you have coming in next season.

 

[Dillon77]

Sorry. Should have known you know the difference between Morrow and Morris. I now know who you are talking about. She looks as if she will be really good. Did not know her name but was very impressed. Don't know if UConn can stop her. Also, with the talent ND will have the next two seasons they should be a top ten team. Don't know what recruits you have coming in next season.

No worries. I barely knew about Ms. Morrow before prepping for yesterday's game. She's tough...not afraid to user her body as a wedge while going through the lane.

Niele has but one recruit coming in 2022, but she's a good fit: KK Bransford, the 5'10" combo guard from Cincinnati. Played on the USA U-16 team with 'liv Miles and Sonia Citron and against Maddy Westbeld in high school. Very physical player who likes to go to the hoop; somewhat reminiscent of Ogunbowale in that respect (but now the long range three).

Have a good holiday.