by LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In a meeting of the highest ranked teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the No. 8 University of Louisville women’s basketball team faces fourth-ranked Notre Dame on ESPN2 Big Monday in Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Ind.
The Feb. 23 contest, the Cardinals’ eighth game against a ranked opponent this year, will air on ESPN2, with Beth Mowins (play-by-play) and Stephanie White (analyst) on the call. The radio broadcast will be available on 93.9 FM The Ville in Louisville, with Matt Andrews (play-by-play) and Adrienne Johnson (analyst) calling the action.
The two programs were members of the BIG EAST from 2005-13 and currently stand atop the ACC standings. Notre Dame is first in the conference with a 12-1 league record, while Louisville is tied for second with an 11-2 mark.
Louisville boosted its overall record to 23-3 following its fourth-consecutive win, posting a 20-point win over Virginia Tech on Thursday. The Cardinals shot 49.1 percent for the game on their way to a 69-49 victory. Louisville scored 32 points in the paint and tallied 21 off Virginia Tech’s 18 turnovers.
Shawnta’ Dyer led UofL with 15 points off the bench, and Bria Smith added 12 in a reserve role, with both producing identical 6-for-8 shooting performances. Mariya Moore notched her 21st game with double-digit points, recording 14. Emmonnie Henderson had another solid game, registering nine points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 18 minutes.
On the year, Moore leads the Cardinals in scoring (14.1) and assists (101) and has connected on team highs in 3-pointers (45) and free throws (102). She is the only Division I freshman to rank in the top 10 in scoring (14.1) and have an assist-turnover ratio better than 1.0 (1.7). Classmate Myisha Hines-Allen is second in scoring (12.0), and senior Sara Hammond is contributing 11.1 points and a team-best 6.8 rebounds. Defensively, Bria Smith (53) and Jude Schimmel (51) pace the team in steals.
The Fighting Irish (25-2 ACC) have won their last 11 games following a 71-61 victory at Georgia Tech on Sunday. The team scored 36 points in the paint and made all 12 of its free throws in the second half. Notre Dame limited Georgia Tech to just 36.9 percent from the field, including a 2-for-11 stint from 3-point range.
Jewell Loyd scored 23 of her game-high 31 points in the second half, including 10 points from the free throw line. Madison Cable had nine points and 11 rebounds, and Brianna Turner finished with eight points, 10 rebounds, and a game-best three blocks.
On the year, Loyd is pacing Notre Dame with 21.1 points, the top mark in the ACC, along with 44 steals. Turner is second on the team in scoring (14.6), while boasting team bests of 7.5 rebounds per game and 62 blocks. Michaela Mabrey ranks first on the team with 55 3-pointers, and Cable leads the squad with 46 steals.
The Fighting Irish are under the direction of 28th-year coach Muffet McGraw, who has a 688-220 record at the helm of the program. Notre Dame was picked to win the league in the ACC Preseason Media Poll after going 37-1 last year.
GAME FACTS – Louisville at Notre Dame
Date: Monday, Feb. 23
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Site: Purcell Pavilion, South Bend, Ind. (9,149)
TV: ESPN2 will broadcast the game, with Beth Mowins (play-by-play) and Stephanie White (analyst) calling the action.
Radio: 93.9 FM The Ville will broadcast the game, with Matt Andrews (play-by-play) and Adrienne Johnson (analyst) calling the action.
Series History: Notre Dame leads the all-time series 10-4 (4-1 in Louisville, 3-2 in South Bend, 3-1 neutral).
Last Meeting: Notre Dame defeated Louisville 83-59 on March 11, 2013, in Hartford, Conn.
Next UofL Game: Thursday, Feb. 26 vs. Boston College, KFC Yum! Center/Crum Court, Louisville, Ky., 7 p.m. ET
