HALFTIME: #5 Notre Dame 42, Clemson 20

Three-time letterwinner and current graduate student Kelly Gramlich gives her perspective on the first half:

Kelly’s 3 Point Stance:

1. Take Care: Clemson has only committed seven turnovers in the first half of action. This is impressive considering Notre Dame has forced its opponents into an average of 18.7 turnovers per game this season.
2. Good From Deep: The Tigers outshot the Fighting Irish from behind the arc in the first half. Clemson knocked down three 3 pointers while Notre Dame only hit two.
3. Transition D: Clemson has made a point to get back on defense and protect the paint in transition, holding Notre Dame to only five fast break points in the first half.

Fun Fact of the First Half:Today’s contest marks Notre Dame’s first trip ever to Littlejohn Coliseum and only the second time the Fighting Irish and Tigers have met in women’s basketball.

Keys to Victory:

1. The Tigers are one of the best free throw shooting teams in the ACC but only reached the free throw line two times as a team in the first half. The Tigers need to attack the paint and attempt to draw more fouls in the second half.
2. Even though Clemson is significantly smaller than Notre Dame inside, the Tigers must focus on boxing out and grabbing defensive rebounds. The Fighting Irish outrebounded the Tigers 25-13 in the first half.
3. Clemson needs to turn up the defensive pressure in the second half and force Notre Dame into turning the ball over. The Fighting Irish only committed five turnovers in the first half.