In a captivating debut, the underdog Notre Dame team delivered a remarkable performance by stunning the formidable Duke basketball powerhouse. Ranked as the nation’s top team for the first time this season, Notre Dame demonstrated their worth by decisively defeating the No. 11 Blue Devils with a 64-49 victory on their home court.
The game started off with Duke putting up a strong fight, with Taina Mair’s 11 points keeping them within striking distance as they trailed Notre Dame by only two points at halftime, with the score standing at 29-27. However, the momentum dramatically shifted in the second half as Notre Dame unleashed a commanding 17-1 run, taking firm control of the game.
Duke struggled to find their rhythm in the second half, managing to score their first field goal only midway through the third quarter. Despite their efforts, Notre Dame’s lead proved insurmountable as they maintained a dominant hold on the game, ultimately securing their 18th consecutive win.
Leading the charge for Notre Dame was Hannah Hidalgo with an impressive performance of 19 points, accompanied by four assists and three steals. Sonia Citron also made significant contributions with 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals, showcasing the team’s depth and talent.
Notre Dame’s superiority was further emphasized by their control of the boards, outrebounding Duke 41-28, including 15 offensive rebounds. Additionally, their defensive prowess was evident as they limited Duke to a mere 1-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc, while Notre Dame connected on 6 of 18 three-point attempts.
Following UCLA’s recent loss, Notre Dame ascended to the coveted top spot in the AP poll, signifying their growing dominance in women’s college basketball. With an impressive list of victories over formidable opponents like UConn, USC, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Cal, and now Duke, Notre Dame has firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
As they set their sights on securing the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament, Notre Dame recognizes that further challenges lie ahead. Despite their recent successes, they remain focused on the ultimate goal, aiming to solidify their position as the team to beat in the collegiate basketball landscape.
