In a surprising turn of events, the No. 11 seed Duke Blue Devils upset the No. 6 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish with a 61-56 victory in the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament. This defeat marks Notre Dame’s third loss in five games, a concerning trend for a team that was recently ranked as the nation’s top team. citeturn0news25

 

Duke’s triumph was spearheaded by Oluchi Okananwa, who led the team with 14 points, and Ashlon Jackson, who contributed 12 points. Their performances were pivotal in securing Duke’s spot in the ACC Tournament final, where they are set to face No. 7 seed NC State. citeturn0news24

 

On Notre Dame’s side, Hannah Hidalgo, the ACC Player of the Year, delivered an impressive individual performance, scoring 23 points and recording six steals. Despite her efforts, the team struggled offensively, particularly in the second half, managing to score only 25 points. The Fighting Irish’s defense did force 21 turnovers; however, their shooting woes, with a field goal percentage of just 37.5%, hindered their ability to capitalize on these opportunities. citeturn0news25

 

This loss is a significant setback for Notre Dame, especially considering their stellar regular-season performance, where they shared the regular-season title with NC State. However, due to a head-to-head loss against NC State, the Fighting Irish entered the ACC Tournament as the No. 2 seed. citeturn0news28

 

Looking ahead, Notre Dame will need to regroup and address their recent struggles as they prepare for the upcoming 2025 NCAA Tournament. Their seeding and path in the tournament will be revealed on Selection Sunday, March 16. The team will aim to rectify their offensive inconsistencies and return to the form that saw them reach the pinnacle of the national rankings earlier in the season. citeturn0news25

 

For Duke, this victory not only propels them into the ACC Tournament final but also enhances their NCAA Tournament resume. The Blue Devils have demonstrated resilience and capability, making them a team to watch as the postseason unfolds.

 

In the other semifinal matchup, NC State secured their spot in the final by defeating North Carolina 66-55. Aziaha James led the Wolfpack with 19 points, while Madison Hayes and Lorena Awou each added 10 points. NC State’s strong start, including a 16-0 run, set the tone for the game and underscored their readiness for the championship clash against Duke. citeturn0news24

 

The ACC Tournament final between Duke and NC State promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams eager to claim the conference title and improve their standings ahead of the NCAA Tournament.

 

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