Duke Holds Off Notre Dame’s Late Push to Advance to ACC Tournament Final

The first game of Day 4 at the Ally ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament featured a quarterfinal showdown between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Duke Blue Devils.

Notre Dame entered the matchup after defeating NC State 81–63 in the previous round, while Duke advanced after a 60–46 victory over Clemson following a double bye. When the teams met earlier this season, Duke secured an 82–68 win with all five starters finishing in double figures.

Duke set the tone early.

The Blue Devils opened the game with a burst of energy, jumping out to a 10–0 run behind early scoring from Taina Mair and Toby Fournier. Notre Dame struggled to find rhythm offensively until Hannah Hidalgo broke the drought with the Fighting Irish’s first basket at the 5:03 mark of the first quarter.

Duke’s defense continued to apply pressure throughout the opening period. A Riley Nelson block sparked a transition opportunity that led to a three point play for Delaney Thomas. Notre Dame answered late in the quarter with a 9–0 run fueled by Hidalgo and Iyana Moore, trimming the deficit before Duke closed the quarter with a 17–11 lead.

Notre Dame found more offensive balance in the second quarter.

Hidalgo and Cassandre Prosper helped cut Duke’s lead to two as the Fighting Irish began to settle into the game. Duke responded by attacking inside, with 20 of its first 24 points coming in the paint. Riley Nelson added four straight points to push the lead back to double digits, while Prosper kept Notre Dame within striking distance with a three point play late in the half.

Hidalgo continued to pace the Fighting Irish offensively in the closing minutes, but Duke maintained control and carried a 38–31 advantage into halftime.

The momentum shifted coming out of the break.

Notre Dame’s defense sparked an 8–0 run in the third quarter, forcing turnovers that turned into immediate offense. Hidalgo contributed to the surge while Vanessa De Jesus and KK Bransford each knocked down three pointers, giving the Fighting Irish their first lead of the game with 6:20 remaining in the quarter.

Taina Mair stopped the run with a timely three pointer to put Duke back in front 43–41. After several minutes of limited scoring, De Jesus connected on another three to pull Notre Dame within one before Iyana Moore converted two free throws to reclaim the lead for the Fighting Irish. Duke answered before the end of the quarter, tying the game at 46–46.

The fourth quarter turned into a battle of possessions.

Hidalgo opened the period with a steal that led to a fast break layup, briefly extending Notre Dame’s lead. Riley Nelson responded with a three pointer for Duke, and the Blue Devils leaned on their interior presence as Delaney Thomas and Toby Fournier helped push Duke ahead 57–53.

Notre Dame refused to fade.

Iyana Moore drilled a three to bring the Fighting Irish within one before Fournier answered inside for Duke. Taina Mair added a clutch three pointer, but Hidalgo kept Notre Dame within striking distance with a series of tough jumpers.

With just over a minute remaining, Hidalgo knocked down a fast break three to cut Duke’s lead to one. Nelson later added a free throw to push the advantage back to two. Despite multiple offensive rebounds and second chance opportunities from Hidalgo and Cassandre Prosper in the final seconds, Notre Dame could not convert as Duke secured the defensive rebound to seal the win.

Duke advances to the ACC Tournament semifinal and will face the winner of Louisville and North Carolina tomorrow at 1:00 PM EST.