Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Shepard, No. 2 Notre Dame women bounce back, beat BC 89-60

Shepard and the Irish quickly scored the first nine points of the game, and Notre Dame bounced back from its most-lopsided defeat in 16 seasons, routing Boston College 89-60.

Quite a change from that 100-67 loss Thursday.

"I think we all came in with a little chip on our shoulders. Quite frankly that game was embarrassing and that is not how Notre Dame basketball is played," Shepard said.

Shepard scored 24 points in 22 minutes as the Irish overwhelmed the young and overmatched Eagles.

Arike Ogunbowale added 18 points for Notre Dame (16-2, 5-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). Freshman Danielle Patterson matched her season high with 11 points and Marina Mabrey added 10.

The Irish held a 54-22 rebounding advantage.

"Getting the ball inside was our goal and game plan today," Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw said. "I like the way we came out and really attacked offensively."

Milan Bolden-Morris, held scoreless for three quarters, had 17 points and Andie Anastos added 11 for Boston College (6-11, 1-3).

Boston College outscored Notre Dame 27-17 in the final quarter as McGraw sat most of her starters.

"We've got some young ones who got a little trial by fire today," Boston College coach Erik Johnson said. "(Notre Dame is) an amazing team, well coached. They clearly set the tone at the beginning of the game."

Despite hitting just one of its last nine field goals in the first quarter, Notre Dame led 21-12. A 12-0 run punctuated by Ogunbowale's 3-pointer gave the Irish a 35-16 midway through the second quarter that ended with Notre Dame up 42-22.

Shepard, who hit 10 of 15 shots and grabbed eight rebounds, scored nine points as the Irish started the third quarter with an 11-0 run for a 53-22 lead. Neither she nor Ogunbowale played in the fourth quarter, which Notre Dame entered leading 72-33.

BIG PICTURE

NEWCOMER

McGraw, whose team is down to seven scholarship players after losing four for the season with ACL injuries, was pleased with the work she got from Patterson off the bench, who came off the bench. She had four rebounds in 29 minutes.

"Danny is really coming along," McGraw said. "I just want to see her relax a little bit."

Said Patterson: "I know I have to step up a lot with the injuries. Coach talked about coming out today and proving a point."

HOME COOKING

It was the first of three straight home games for the Irish, who have won 17 straight, have won 45 straight conference games at home and are 457-92 at the Purcell Pavilion. Following Thursday's visit from Tennesse, the Irish are home next Sunday against Clemson before closing the month with road visits at Pittsburgh (Jan. 25) and Florida State (Jan. 28).

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Notre Dame had 54 rebounds with Kathryn Westbeld grabbing nine, one more than both Shepard and Ogunbowale. . Bolden-Morris, who entered the game leading Boston College in scoring with a 13.4 average, was 0 of 6 from the field (0 of 4 from the 3-point line) through the first three quarters but then hit five straight from beyond the arc in the final 10 minutes. . Anastos was 4-of-5 shooting, including 3 of 4 from beyond the arc, and had two assists.

UP NEXT

UP NEXT

Boston College: Visits Clemson on Thursday.

Notre Dame: Hosts No. 6 Tennessee on Thursday.

How can I watch Eagles vs. Fighting Irish?

• TV Channel: Eagles vs Fighting Irish 2021 College Basketball, week 10, is broadcasted on ACC Extra.
• Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Location: South Bend, IN
Attendance: 8,208 | Capacity: