In a highly anticipated matchup on February 17, 2025, the No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball team secured a 64-59 victory over the No. 11 Duke Blue Devils at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana. This win marked Notre Dame’s 18th consecutive victory and solidified their position atop the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) standings.

 

The game was a tale of two halves. After a closely contested first half, with Notre Dame leading by a slim 29-27 margin, the Fighting Irish intensified their defensive efforts in the third quarter. They initiated a decisive 17-1 run, during which they forced multiple turnovers and limited Duke to 0-of-6 shooting from the field. This surge extended Notre Dame’s lead to 50-35 by the end of the third quarter. Freshman guard Hannah Hidalgo led the Irish with 19 points, while Sonia Citron contributed 15 points and seven rebounds. Maddy Westbeld added 11 points, including a pivotal three-pointer that ignited the third-quarter run. For Duke, Taina Mair was the leading scorer with 15 points. citeturn0search5

 

Post-game, Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey praised her team’s resilience and defensive prowess. “Collectively, just the whole team. I thought we had great contributions from the entire group,” Ivey remarked. She also highlighted the energy of the home crowd, stating, “I thought the energy of the crowd was amazing. I really appreciate everyone coming out to a really late game.” citeturn0search1

 

On the other side, Duke head coach Kara Lawson acknowledged the challenges posed by Notre Dame’s defense and the hostile environment of Purcell Pavilion. While specific comments from Lawson were not available in the provided sources, it’s evident that the Blue Devils faced difficulties adjusting to Notre Dame’s intensified play in the second half.

 

This victory not only reinforced Notre Dame’s dominance in the ACC but also underscored their deserving No. 1 ranking, a position they reclaimed for the first time since 2019. Coach Ivey emphasized the team’s focus, stating, “It’s definitely an honor to be the nation’s top team, but we are just focused on getting better every day.” citeturn0search2

 

Looking ahead, Notre Dame aims to maintain their momentum as they prepare to face Miami in their next matchup. Meanwhile, Duke will seek to regroup and address the issues highlighted in this game as they host Louisville.

 

In summary, the clash between Notre Dame and Duke showcased the Fighting Irish’s ability to adapt and dominate in critical moments, a testament to Coach Ivey’s leadership and the team’s cohesive performance.