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Top-seeded Notre Dame begins NCAA tournament vs. Cal State Northridge (Mar 14, 2018)
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Top-seeded Notre Dame will tip off its 23rd consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament when it hosts No. 16 seed Cal State Northridge on Friday evening at Purcell Pavilion.
The Fighting Irish (29-3) are a No. 1 seed for the seventh year in a row and the eighth time in school history. Under longtime head coach Muffet McGraw, Notre Dame has made seven appearances in the Final Four and won one championship (2001).
Notre Dame's streak is the fourth-longest and fifth-best all-time.
"I think all of us are just ready to start, ready to get into tournament play," Fighting Irish senior forward Kathryn Westbeld said to the South Bend Tribune.
Notre Dame earned top billing despite losing several important players to injuries during the regular season. Guard Mychal Johnson, center Mikayla Vaughn and guard Lili Thompson each went down, and All-American forward Brianna Turner missed the entire season.
Guard Arike Ogunbowale (20.2 points per game) and forward Jessica Shepherd (15.0 points per game) helped to fill the void. Guards Marina Mabrey and Jackie Young each averaged 14.2 points per game.
"For us, it wasn't about what we didn't have," Shepard said to the South Bend Tribune. "It was about what we did have. You look at our starting five, you look at the two subs who come off the bench, and it's a tough matchup for any team."
Cal State Northridge (19-15) punched its ticket by winning the Big West tournament. The Matadors posted an 8-8 conference record during the regular season but came on strong down the stretch with six wins in their last eight games, including a 63-55 victory in the Big West title game over UC Davis.
This marks the fourth NCAA tournament appearance in school history for Cal State Northridge. The Matadors also reached the tourney in 1999, 2014 and 2015.
"I'm extremely proud of our young women," Cal State Northridge coach Jason Flowers said to the school's official website. "We talked about, before we left (for the conference tournament), it was not about what you win at the end of this. It's about who you become at the end of this.
"It's going to sound crazy, but they've grown a lot in the last week and a half. I'm extremely proud of who they've become throughout this tournament, and hopefully that will propel us forward."
The Matadors are led in scoring by center Channon Fluker, who averaged 18.1 points per game on 51.1 percent shooting from the field. Fluker totaled 24 points and 17 rebounds in the win over UC Davis.
Forward Tessa Boagni contributed 13.6 points per game, and guard Serafina Maulupe was the third player to average in double digits with 11.7 points per game.
Notre Dame is going for its 13th NCAA tournament win in a row on its home court.
The Fighting Irish have not dropped a postseason game at Purcell Pavilion since 2009. McGraw's club is 30-6 all-time as a No. 1 seed and is battled tested this season with wins over nine teams in the top 25.
The winner of Friday's game will advance to the Round of 32 to play the winner of No. 8 seed South Dakota State and No. 9 seed Villanova.
