Blue Devils Survive Late Scare in Semifinal Thriller
The Duke Blue Devils women’s basketball secured a dramatic 65–63 victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball on Saturday to advance to the championship game of the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament.
The semifinal contest, played in Duluth, Georgia, delivered a tense finish as Notre Dame had multiple opportunities in the closing seconds to steal the win. Despite the late pressure, Duke managed to protect its slim advantage and punch its ticket to the title game.
Notre Dame Battles Back After Slow Start
The Irish entered the matchup as the fifth seed and initially struggled to find rhythm against the tournament’s top seed. Duke controlled much of the early action, building a lead in the first half while Notre Dame searched for offensive consistency.
However, the Irish gradually found their footing as the game progressed. After trailing for most of the first half, Notre Dame mounted a determined comeback. Their persistence paid off when they captured their first lead of the game with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The momentum shift energized the Irish bench and tightened what had previously been a Duke-controlled contest.
Fourth Quarter Turns Into a Back-and-Forth Battle
By the start of the fourth quarter, Notre Dame held a narrow 49–46 lead, setting the stage for an intense final period. Both teams traded baskets in a tense stretch where every possession carried significant weight.
Duke eventually regained control thanks to a critical three-pointer from guard Taina Mair. Her clutch shot pushed the Blue Devils ahead 64–60 with just over a minute remaining in regulation, putting Duke in a strong position to close out the game.
The moment seemed to put Notre Dame on the brink, but the Irish refused to fade quietly.
Hidalgo’s Heroics Spark Late Drama
Notre Dame star Hannah Hidalgo delivered a dramatic response that briefly revived her team’s hopes. With Duke attempting to secure the win, Hidalgo produced a timely steal and quickly converted the opportunity into a three-pointer.
The electrifying sequence cut Duke’s lead to just one point at 64–63 and injected fresh tension into the closing moments of the semifinal showdown. The play energized Notre Dame’s bench and set up a frantic finish.
Moments later, Duke guard Riley Nelson stepped to the free-throw line. She converted one of two attempts, extending the Blue Devils’ lead to two points and leaving the door open for a potential Irish comeback.
Final Possessions Fall Short for the Irish
With 51.6 seconds left on the clock, Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey called a crucial timeout to design a final play that could deliver victory. The Irish created opportunities during the closing seconds, attempting three shots in the final 11 seconds.
However, none of the attempts found the basket. Duke’s defense held firm under pressure, sealing a hard-fought victory and securing a spot in the tournament championship game.
Despite the loss, Hidalgo delivered an outstanding performance for Notre Dame, finishing with 24 points and eight rebounds. Still, it was Duke that ultimately emerged from the intense semifinal battle with a place in the ACC title game.