Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2021 77 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Miles said. "I've always been raised and taught to respect myself, respect others and think first before posting something on social media that thou- sands of people can see. "… They're always on the side talking to me about watching what I'm doing and being cognizant of posting something that will help in- stead of hurt someone." Miles didn't think about enrolling early until she saw Blair Academy teammate Dominique Darius do the same at UCLA in December. "It was a tough decision, but the right decision," said Miles, who is not forfeiting a year of eligibility by playing this year, either. Soccer was actually her first love, and it's a sport she still misses play- ing, but there is enough to absorb now with her new teammates. Just getting a head start in her college career is a bonus in itself. "Take in this experience, learn from it, grow and use it as mentoring, making connections and hitting the ground running for the first official year," Miles said. When Miles signed with the Irish last November, Ivey stated that a "swag" will come with her. "You can shoot a thousand shots, you can work hard in the gym — and you can get on the court and just freeze," Miles said. "It can happen to everybody. … I just try to play my way and not anyone else's way, and I think that's what drives me and motivates me." Her first priority on the court is to enhance and elevate the level of play of her teammates as a facilitator. "I love making a connection with another person and seeing others put the ball in the hoop, and then getting that momentum, and get- ting that happiness and excitement and wanting to make another play," Miles said. "And I love attacking the rim and drawing someone and kick- ing out for a three. Those are the type of plays that just get the team going. "I love that about being a point guard. I love directing, having con- trol and leading the team, and know- ing that I'm doing something to help us win." ✦ 2020-21 NOTRE DAME SCHEDULE (as of. Feb. 9) Date Opponent (TV) Result/Time (ET) Nov. 27 at Ohio L, 86-85 Nov. 29 Miami (Ohio) W, 88-68 Dec. 3 Michigan L, 76-66 Dec. 6 IUPUI W, 65-58 Dec. 13 Georgia Tech* L, 82-67 Dec. 17 Virginia Tech* W, 84-78 Dec. 20 at Clemson* L, 78-55 Dec. 31 at Miami* W, 71-60 Jan. 3 Georgia Tech* W, 69-67 Jan. 7 at Boston College* L, 64-61 Jan. 14 Wake Forest* W, 79-72 Jan. 17 Boston College* W, 83-73 Jan. 21 at Virginia Tech* W, 65-60 Jan. 24 at North Carolina* L, 78-73 Jan. 31 at Syracuse* L, 81-69 Feb. 7 at Louisville* L, 71-65 Feb. 15 at NC State* (ESPN2) 5 p.m. Feb. 18 Syracuse* (ACCN) 8 p.m. Feb. 22 at Pittsburgh* (ACCN) 8 p.m. Feb. 25 Florida State* (ACCNX) 7 p.m. Feb. 28 Louisville* (ESPN2/ACCN) 12 p.m. Mar. 3-7 ACC Tournament^ * ACC game; ^ at Greensboro, N.C.; ACCN — ACC Network; ACCNX — ACC Net Work Extra; RSN — Regional Sports Networks; Duke (Jan. 31) and Virginia (Feb. 11) canceled their remaining games Three-Point Play 1. Distressing Pattern On Jan. 31 at Syracuse, Notre Dame for the fourth time this year snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with a fourth-quarter collapse in its 81-69 setback. The Orange outscored Notre Dame 23-4 in the fourth quarter, with the Irish convert- ing 2 of 14 field-goal attempts (14.3 percent) in those 10 minutes. Notre Dame held a 15-point lead in the first half (30-15), had a 44-34 advantage at halftime and entered the fourth quarter up 65-58 before enduring another meltdown. • In the opener at Ohio U., the Irish built a 77-70 lead with 6:03 left before losing 86-85. • At Boston College on Jan. 7, the Eagles ral- lied to victory after trailing 60-48 with only 2:41 remaining in the contest. The Irish were up by as much as 14 (58-44). • At North Carolina Jan. 24, Notre Dame built its largest lead at 70-63 with 4:36 left in the game, and then the Tar Heels finished with a 15-3 run to win 78-73. It has been a psychological hurdle that has haunted and lingers. On Feb. 7 at No. 1 Louisville, the Irish actually made a late run after trail- ing 61-50 and pulled to within 66-65 before their missed opportunity to go ahead on a 2-on-1 fast break helped the Cardinals escape with a 71-65 win. That effort showed again the Irish can compete, but must become finishers. 2. Stanford Transfer Maya Dodson To Join Notre Dame For the third time in four years, the program will welcome a graduate transfer from Stanford next year in 6-3 forward Maya Dodson. Previ- ous Cardinal transfers included point guards Lili Thompson (2017-18), who tore her ACL on Dec. 31 during the national title year, and Marta Sniezek last season. An engineering/ethics major at Stanford, the former McDonald's All-American Dodson was in the same recruiting class as current 6-3 Irish se- nior center Mikki Vaughn, who has another year of eligibility in 2021-22 but has been noncommit- tal about returning for that fifth year. Dodson opted out of the 2020-21 season, and a left foot injury slowed her the two previous two years. Her best campaign was as a sophomore when she started 13 games and averaged 7.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 20.6 min- utes per contest. As a junior, she missed the first 24 games be- fore starting the last seven. She was a Pac-12 All- Academic honorable mention in 2019, and Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll member in 2020. 3. Roster Review Rejoining the Irish this second semester was 6-4 junior forward Danielle Cosgrove, who took the first semester off to work on mental health. Junior guard Katlyn Gilbert has not been available since the turn of the new year after a leg injury that is expected to sideline her until at least mid-February. Prior to the Feb. 15 visit at Final Four contender North Carolina State, fresh- man forward Maddy Westbeld paced the 8-8 Irish (6-6 in the ACC) in scoring (14.8 points per game) and rebounding (7.4), and was second in assists (40) and steals (23). Junior Dara Mabrey and sixth-year senior Destinee Walker also were in double-figure scoring with 12.3 and 12.2 averages, respectively. — Lou Somogyi Freshman Maddy Westbeld continued to lead the Irish in scoring (14.8 points per game) and rebound- ing (7.4 a contest) through the team's first 16 tilts. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS