DULUTH, GA — The ACC Tournament action heats up in the semifinals on Saturday at Gas South Arena.
No. 5 Notre Dame steamrolled No. 4 NC State for the tournament’s first upset of the week on Friday. The Fighting Irish had 22 points in the third quarter to take a commanding lead and never looked back.
Now, Notre Dame and Hannah Hidalgo face No. 1 seed Duke and Toby Fournier for a chance to move on to the ACC Tournament championship on Sunday.
The Blue Devils advanced with three players in double figures. Fournier had a 17-point and 10-rebound double-double along with three blocks. Fournier’s last block tied her for 10th all-time in single-season blocks in Duke history.
The Blue Devils have nine ACC Tournament championships and are the defending champions. The Irish have won six tournament titles, with the last coming in 2024.
Duke turning transition defense into offense
The Blue Devils’ defense is causing several issues for Notre Dame. Midway through the second quarter, Notre Dame has nine turnovers. Duke has scored eight points from the giveaways. The Blue Devils also have six steals.
First quarter: Duke 17, Notre Dame 11
Duke got out to a fast start, forcing Notre Dame to scramble defensively. However, the Fighting Irish eventually settled in to cut the Blue Devils’ once 10-point lead down to as little as two. Duke finished the quarter by adding to its lead, behind six points from Toby Fournier.
The Blue Devils are shooting 42% from the field with five turnovers. Notre Dame is led by Iyana Moore, who has nine points. The Fighting Irish are shooting 25% from the field with six turnovers.
Notre Dame responds to Duke’s run with quick points
Notre Dame finally got on the board with some quick scoring from Iyana Moore (7 points) and Hannah Hidalgo (4 points). The Fighting Irish cut into Duke’s lead, closing the score gap, 15-11.
Duke adds to scoring with 10-0 vs. Notre Dame
Duke opened the contest with a 10-0 run, forcing four Notre Dame turnovers.
Duke opens with a 6-0 run against Notre Dame
Less than two minutes into the contest, Duke scored six points. Taina Mair scored the game’s opening points with a putback basket, and Toby Fournier scored back-to-back layups, forcing a Notre Dame timeout with 8:21 remaining in the first.
Duke and Notre Dame get loose
The Blue Devils and Fighting Irish are preparing for today’s semifinal matchup. Both teams are getting up shots and getting loose as the game draws near.
Duke vs. Notre Dame starting lineups
These are the starting lineups for Duke and Notre Dame women’s basketball.
Duke Blue Devils starting lineup
Head coach: Kara Lawson
4 Riley Nelson | G 6-2 – Sophomore
3 Ashlon Jackson | G 6-0 – Senior
12 Delaney Thomas | F 6-3 – Junior
22 Taina Mair | G 5-9- Senior
35 Toby Fournier | F 6-2 – Sophomore
Notre Dame Fighting Irish starting lineup
Head coach: Niele Ivey
3 Hannah Hidalgo | G 5-6 – Junior
2 Vanessa De Jesus | G 5-8 – Senior
23 Iyana Moore | G 5-8 – Senior
8 Cassandre Prosper | G 6-3 – Senior
5 Malaya Cowles | F 6-3- Senior
Duke vs. Notre Dame Rosters
Here are the complete rosters for Duke women’s basketball and Notre Dame.
Duke Blue Devils Roster
2 Jadyn Donovan | G 6-0 – Junior
3 Ashlon Jackson | G 6-0 – Senior
4 Riley Nelson | G 6-2 – Sophomore
Emilee Skinner | G 6-0 – Freshman
12 Delaney Thomas | F 6-3 – Junior
13 Jordan Wood | F 6-4 – Junior
15 Emma Koabel G 5-11 – Senior
21 Arianna Roberson | C 6-4 – Red Shirt Freshman
22 Taina Mair | G 5-9- Senior
25 Anna Wikstrom | G 6-0 – Freshman
35 Toby Fournier | F 6-2 – Sophomore
42 Hailey Johnson | G 5-11 – Senior
53 Olivia Martin | G 5-6 – Senior
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Roster
1 Kelly Ratigan | G 5-8 – Junior
2 Vanessa De Jesus | G 5-8 – Senior
3 Hannah Hidalgo | G 5-6 – Junior
5 Malaya Cowles | F 6-3- Senior
8 Cassandre Prosper | G 6-3 – Senior
10 Bella Tehrani | F 6-3 – Senior
11 Jordyn Smith | G 5-6 – Senior
14 KK Bransford | G 5-11 – Senior
15 Luci Jensen | G 5-10 Sophomore
23 Iyana Moore | G 5-8 – Senior
30 Gisela Sanchez | F 6-4 – Senior
44 Leah Macy | F 6-2 Freshman
What time is Notre Dame vs. Duke?
Date: Saturday, March 7
Time: Noon ET
Location: Gas South Arena (Duluth, Georgia)
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish play the Duke Blue Devils in the first ACC semifinal game at noon ET Saturday, March 7 at Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia.
Notre Dame vs. Duke: TV, streaming
TV: ESPN2
Stream: Sling TV