Week three of NCAA women’s basketball has concluded and it featured several top 25 non-conference match-ups. The Blue Ribbon Panel voted sophomore guards Jackie Young (Notre Dame) and Tiana Mangakahia (Syracuse) as Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Basketball Co-Players of the Week. Freshman guard Mykea Gray (Miami) was named ACC Rookie of the Week to round out the weekly honors.
Notre Dame notched a huge victory against reigning NCAA National Champion, South Carolina. With a final score of 92-85, the Fighting Irish snapped the Gamecocks’ 17-game win streak.
Young was recognized as the Gulf Coast Showcase Tournament MVP. In the three-game stretch, resulting in an unbeaten Notre Dame, Young averaged 19.3 PPG and 7.7 RPG. Two of these three victories were against top 25 teams: USF (17/16) and USC (3/2). Young scored a career high 23 points against South Florida and 22 points against South Carolina. In addition to those 22 points against the high-ranked Gamecocks, she added 10 rebounds and recorded her first double-double of the season.
In another display of ACC undefeated play, Mangakahia left her mark at the Paradise Jam, receiving MVP honors in the Reef Division. Syracuse went 3-0, beating Wisconsin, Vanderbilt and George Washington. Mangakahia racked up 41 points and 41 assists during her tenure in the tournament. Currently leading the nation in assists per game at 11.8, Mangakahia dished 17 dimes while facing Vanderbilt, good for a second-best single game total in ACC women’s basketball history.
A record-breaking performance at the @ParadiseJam earned @Tianamanga ACC Co-Player of the Week!
— 'Cuse Hoops (@CuseWBB) November 27, 2017
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Gray is showing confidence early in her collegiate career. She was named to the Miami Thanksgiving Tournament All-Tournament Team. Miami went 2-1 on the week, falling short to Maryland in a 79-71 loss. Gray led Miami in scoring for all three games, but had an especially impressive 21-point performance against Maryland.
Four ACC teams are among the nation’s top 25: Notre Dame (third), Louisville (fourth), Florida State (13th) and Duke (14th).
Tournament play is over, and now the ACC is planning for the 11th annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Games will be played on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30.