On Monday, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish made a powerful statement as they took the court against the Duke Blue Devils, marking their first game this season as the nation’s top-ranked team. The Irish showcased their dominance with a convincing 64-49 victory at home.
Duke, ranked No. 11, put up a commendable fight in the first half. Taina Mair was particularly effective for the Blue Devils, contributing 11 points and keeping her team close to the Irish, who entered halftime leading by only two points at 29-27. However, the dynamics of the game shifted significantly after the break.
The second half started with Notre Dame exploding into a 17-1 run that effectively put the game out of reach for Duke. The Blue Devils struggled offensively, failing to score any field goals until Jadyn Donovan managed a layup with just over four minutes left in the third quarter. At that point, the score stood at 46-31, and the Fighting Irish never allowed their lead to diminish.
Leading the charge for Notre Dame was Hannah Hidalgo, who scored 19 points and added four assists and three steals. Sonia Citron also made significant contributions with 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. The Irish’s commanding presence on the boards was evident as they out-rebounded the Blue Devils 41-28, including 15 offensive rebounds. On the defensive end, Notre Dame was impressive, limiting Duke to a mere 1-of-9 shooting (11.1%) from three-point range, while they themselves hit six of their 18 attempts (33.3%).
This win marked Notre Dame’s 18th consecutive victory, a remarkable turnaround after facing back-to-back losses to TCU and Utah at the end of November. The team’s current résumé is impressive, showcasing victories over several strong opponents, including then-No. 2 UConn, No. 3 USC, No. 4 Texas, No. 17 North Carolina, No. 17 Georgia Tech, No. 21 Cal, in addition to their recent win against Duke.
Following Monday’s game, the Irish ascended to the No. 1 ranking in the AP poll, notably after a loss by UCLA against their rival USC last Thursday. Although Notre Dame received 16 first-place votes, it wasn’t a unanimous choice. Texas garnered eight votes and UCLA six, proving the competitiveness at the top of women’s college basketball. Nevertheless, the Fighting Irish made a compelling case for their ranking and are keen to maintain their status as they aim for the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament.
As they look forward, it’s clear the Irish will need to continue their strong performances. In the NCAA’s first early bracket reveal, Notre Dame was placed at No. 4, behind UCLA, South Carolina, and Texas. This positions them in a critical spot, enabling them to set their sights even higher as the season progresses.
With their exceptional teamwork, strong defensive strategies, and impactful individual performances, the Fighting Irish are poised for an exciting run in the remainder of the season. They will likely continue to face challenges as they navigate tough opponents, but their recent play suggests that they are ready to rise to the occasion. Fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on how Notre Dame maintains its momentum as they approach the championship series in women’s college basketball.
