Duke Edges Out Notre Dame in Thrilling ACC Semifinal Showdown

Duke Edges Out Notre Dame in Thrilling ACC Semifinal Showdown

In a thrilling semifinal matchup of the Atlantic Coast Conference women's basketball tournament, top-seeded Duke narrowly defeated fifth-seeded Notre Dame 65-63 in a nail-biting finish. Despite a slow start and trailing in the first half, the Irish managed to take the lead in the third quarter. The game remained close throughout the fourth quarter, with Duke ultimately emerging victorious.

Notre Dame fought hard to stay in the game, with a late 3-pointer by Hannah Hidalgo cutting the deficit to one point. However, Duke's free throw and solid defense in the final seconds secured their win. Hidalgo led the Irish with an impressive performance of 24 points and eight rebounds, while Taina Mair led Duke with 16 points and eight rebounds.

With this win, Duke advances to the championship game on Sunday, where they will face the winner of the Louisville vs. North Carolina semifinal. Notre Dame will have to wait for Selection Sunday to learn their postseason fate. The game showcased the competitive spirit and talent of both teams, making it an exciting matchup for fans to watch.