Both teams trade baskets early on 4-4, UCONN goes on a 13-2 run and MM calls a timeout @ 4’ mark. nd scores a quick 5 out of the timeout but UCONN outscores them 18-11 to end the quarter. More of the same in the second quarter, UCONN outscores 25-13 with Megatron hitting a pair of threes from the corner. Game over at the half.
Your prediction sounds about right. This year started off badly for Muffet (Brianna Turner sitting out the season), then it got worse when freshman forward
Mikayla Vaughn went down with a season ending torn ACL. The only bright spot for McGraw thus far was when the NCAA approved their waiver for Nebraska transfer
Jessica Shepard, allowing her to play immediately.
If they’re even a pinch superstitious, and if she’ll allow it, maybe Notre Dame players should rub teammate
Lili Thompson’s (3 year starter for Stanford) head for good luck. The Irish point guard, after all, is an endangered species in women’s college basketball — an active player who has actually beaten UConn. Thompson’s production has diminished a bit lately. She’s averaging 3.8 points and 4.3 assists to go with 2.5 turnovers over her last four games, leaving her season figures at 5.7, 5.1 and 2.3, but she's remained a confident player.
This is not one of McGraw's better teams. The only thing she can hope for tomorrow is that her team competes and plays hard for 40 minutes, keeps the score respectable, and no one else gets hurt. The Irish, playing their last of seven straight games away from home,
will only dress eight available scholarship players after Tuesday’s injury to Vaughn. ND simply does not have the horses to compete with UConn this year.
Gabby or Kia will be assigned to throw a blanket over their leading scorer
Arkie Ogunbowale, in hopes of keeping her under her season average of 20.7 ppg. With
Katie Lou Samuelson scheduled to return to the line-up, things should return to normal. If things get any worse for the Irish, they may miss the final four for the 3rd year in a row.
