Notre Dame Faces Duke in ACC Women’s Semifinal The Notre Dame women’s basketball team is in a strong position as it prepares to face the No. 13 Duke Blue Devils in the ACC Tournament semifinals. The Irish have won their last seven games, showcasing a resurgence after a challenging stretch earlier in the season. Their performance has positioned them as a contender for a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament, with hopes of advancing to the championship game. The matchup against Duke presents a significant challenge, particularly with the Blue Devils’ forward Toby Fournier expected to test Notre Dame’s frontcourt defense. The game promises to be competitive, with both teams bringing strong energy and skill to the court. Live updates and highlights will provide ongoing coverage of the action as the Irish aim to continue their momentum. The first quarter saw Duke taking an early lead, scoring the first six points of the game. Notre Dame struggled initially, with Hannah Hidalgo missing her first two shots at the rim. Duke’s early dominance was compounded by Notre Dame’s turnovers, which reached five by the end of the first quarter. However, the Irish showed signs of improvement as they went on a 7-0 run toward the end of the first quarter, indicating a potential shift in their performance. By the end of the second quarter, Notre Dame had managed to cut into Duke’s lead, with a 15-17 scoreline. The Irish’s defensive aggression increased, leading to nine turnovers for Duke. Despite efforts to close the gap, Duke extended their lead to double digits by halftime. Key moments included Hannah Hidalgo’s layup and a defensive play by Prosper that nearly disrupted Duke’s momentum. However, Duke capitalized on their opportunities, including a three-point play that solidified their advantage.#duke_blue_devils #hannah_hidalgo #notre_dame #toby_fournier #prosper
Irish Take Win Streak Into ACC Semis Versus Duke DULUTH, Ga. — The No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, riding a seven-game winning streak, will face No. 1 Duke in the ACC Tournament semifinals on Saturday, March 7, with a chance to advance to the title game. The matchup, set for noon ET at the Gas South Arena in Duluth, Ga., will be broadcast on ESPN2 with Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli calling the action. Notre Dame secured its place in the semifinals by defeating NC State in the quarterfinals on Friday, 81-63. The Irish dominated the Wolfpack, with Hannah Hidalgo and Iyana Moore combining for 45 points. Moore added nine rebounds, tying her career-high in rebounds, while Hidalgo recorded her sixth consecutive game with 25 or more points, the most among ACC players this century. The junior forward also matched her career high with 20 points in the tournament game, marking her sixth ACC Tournament contest with double-digit scoring, tied for the most by any player in the league’s history. Moore’s performance was highlighted by her four three-pointers against NC State, her 10th game this season with four or more three-pointers. Cassandre Prosper, named ACC’s Most Improved Player, contributed 13 points in the win, extending her streak of 24 games with 10 or more points. Notre Dame’s victory over NC State also marked its fourth consecutive win against the Wolfpack in the ACC Tournament, maintaining a perfect 4-0 record in such matchups. The Irish’s matchup against Duke carries historical significance, as Notre Dame is 19-6 all-time against the Blue Devils, including a 4-1 record in ACC Tournament play. The teams have met in the tournament before, with Notre Dame’s recent success adding momentum to its pursuit of the title.#acc_tournament #notre_dame_fighting_irish #duke_blue_devils #gas_south_arena #hannah_hidalgo
