WBB: The Fighting Irish Look to Stay Unbeaten in the Cayman Islands

 

Photo: Notre Dame Athletics 

By Tara Adams

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands - Third-ranked and undefeated Notre Dame bring its high-powered offense to the Cayman Islands this weekend in games against TCU and Utah.

Tip off against 17th-ranked TCU is Friday at 5 p.m. ET in the Cayman Islands Classic Basketball Tournament. The Fighting Irish play Utah on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET.

After a convincing win last weekend against then No. 3 USC, Notre Dame moved into the No. 3 ranking, up from sixth.

The Fighting Irish (5-0) are led by Guards Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles. Hidalgo, a sophomore, was named the AP National Player of the Week last week, is the team's leading scorer, and ranks third in the nation in points, averaging 24.8 points per game. Miles is averaging 18.6 points per game. 

Six Notre Dame players are averaging 10 points or more per game. In addition to Hidalgo and Miles, they are: Liatu King (14.5), Kate Koval (11.8), Cassandre Prosper (10.2), and Sonia Citron (10). Koval also leads the nation in blocks with 24.

The Fighting Irish have outscored opponents 464 to 281 in the games leading up to the Cayman Islands Classic, according to Notre Dame Athletics. 

Despite the success, Head Coach Noele I've said she expects TCU to challenge the Irish.

Sedona Prince leads TCU (6-0) in scoring with 20.7 points per game, while Hailey Van Lith is the Horned Frogs’ second leading scorer with 19.7 points per game. Prince also is second in the nation in blocks with 23.

“They’re an incredibly gifted team,” Ivey said in a written statement. “Van Lith and Prince are both playing really well, and they have some other great transfers that have helped them with experience and guard play. It’s going to be a tough matchup.”

Utah (5-1) had an early season loss to Northwestern but is averaging 87 points per game. Five players are averaging in double figures per game, and the Utes have played in the NCAA Tournament in each of the last three season. 

Notre Dame is undefeated against both teams, with a record of 3-0 against TCU and 3-0 against Utah.

The games are streaming on FloHoops.com.