Preview: Bellarmine Faces Tall Task at Notre Dame SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Interstat) — The Notre Dame women’s basketball team looks to continue its strong start to the season when it hosts struggling Bellarmine on Sunday at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Athletic Center. The eighth-ranked Fighting Irish (8-2) return from a week-long break following a 78-65 road win at James Madison on Dec. 14. Notre Dame has won three straight, including dominant victories over Morehead State (97-48) and Florida State (93-58), since a seven-point loss at Mississippi on Dec. 4. Forward Cassandre Prosper has been a driving force, averaging 21.4 points over her last five games. She scored 24 points with six rebounds against James Madison. Guard Hannah Hidalgo (13 points, six rebounds, four assists) and forward Malaya Cowles (17 points, four rebounds) provided key support. Bellarmine (2-10) enters on a seven-game losing streak, most recently a 105-59 defeat at Arizona on Thursday. The Knights have faced a brutal non-conference schedule, with losses to ranked opponents Arizona, Illinois, Louisville and Ohio State, all by 29 points or more. Guard Rose Jamison has been a bright spot, scoring 20 points with four assists against Arizona. She averages 9.9 points per game. Ava Smith (13 points, five assists) and Rachel Shropshire (10 points, four assists) also contributed against the Wildcats. Notre Dame holds a significant advantage in nearly every statistical category and has averaged 87.6 points per game during its winning streak. Bellarmine has allowed 90 or more points in four of its losses this season. This is the first meeting between the programs. For Notre Dame, it serves as a final tune-up before Atlantic Coast Conference play resumes Dec. 29 against Pittsburgh. Bellarmine opens ASUN Conference play on Jan. 1 against Queens University of Charlotte. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST.