03/07/26 01:55:00
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03/07 13:54 CST No. 13 Duke advances to ACC women's basketball title game after
surviving late push by Notre Dame
No. 13 Duke advances to ACC women's basketball title game after surviving late
push by Notre Dame
By MAURA CAREY
AP Sports Writer
DULUTH, Ga. (AP) --- Fifth-seeded Notre Dame had three shots in the final 11
seconds with the game on the line, but top-seeded Duke hung onto its lead and
came out on top 65-63 in the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference
women's basketball tournament on Saturday.
The Irish overcame a flat start and first-half deficit, taking their first lead
of the game with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Notre Dame was up 49-46 at the start of the fourth quarter. A back-and-forth
battle would ensue, and it ultimately leaned in the Blue Devils' favor.
Hope looked lost for Notre Dame after a 3-pointer by Taina Mair gave the Blue
Devils a 64-60 lead with just over a minute remaining. Hannah Hidalgo restored
the team's faith with a clutch steal turned into a 3-pointer, cutting the
deficit to 64-63.
After Duke's Riley Nelson went 1-of-2 on the free-throw line, Notre Dame coach
Niele Ivey called a final timeout with 51.6 seconds remaining to draw up what
she hoped would be the game-winner, but the Irish fell short in the final
seconds of a hard-fought battle.
Hidalgo led the Irish with 24 points and eight rebounds.
Mair had a team-high 16 points and added eight rebounds for Duke. Toby Fournier
added 14 points and eight rebounds.
Up next
The Blue Devils advance to the title game on Sunday, where they'll play the
winner of the other semifinal between Louisville and North Carolina.
Notre Dame awaits its fate on selection Sunday.
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