Notre Dame women’s basketball head coach **Niele Ivey** expressed deep disappointment following her team’s hard-fought but frustrating loss to **Duke**. The game, which ended in a narrow defeat for the Fighting Irish, was marked by **offensive power struggles**, missed opportunities, and a tense battle between two competitive squads.

 

Ivey, known for her passionate coaching style, was visibly frustrated as she addressed the media after the game. She acknowledged that while her team fought hard, they struggled to execute offensively at key moments. **Turnovers, poor shot selection, and an inability to convert in the clutch** were factors that ultimately cost them the victory.

 

*”It’s disappointing. We had chances, but we didn’t take advantage of them,”* Ivey said sternly. *”You can’t win games when you don’t take care of the basketball and fail to execute offensively. We have to be better.”*

 

Throughout the game, **Notre Dame and Duke exchanged leads multiple times**, with neither team able to fully establish dominance. Duke, however, found a rhythm late in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on Notre Dame’s missed shots and defensive lapses. Despite standout performances from key Irish players, including strong individual efforts, the team couldn’t maintain consistency when it mattered most.

 

Duke’s defensive pressure forced **costly mistakes**, leading to easy transition points that shifted the momentum in their favor. **The physicality of the game and questionable officiating calls** also appeared to frustrate Ivey, though she remained composed in her postgame remarks.

 

*”We have to fight through adversity. It’s part of the game,”* Ivey said. *”But we can’t let outside factors dictate our performance. We have to stay locked in and find ways to score, especially when things aren’t going our way.”*

 

While the loss stung, Ivey made it clear that her team wouldn’t dwell on it for long. Instead, she emphasized the need for **growth, resilience, and preparation for the next challenge**.

 

*”We’ll learn from this. We’ll regroup and get back to work,”* she stated firmly. *”This isn’t the end for us. We have a lot more basketball to play, and I believe in this team.”*

 

Notre Dame will now look to bounce back, addressing their **offensive struggles and defensive lapses** as they prepare for their upcoming matchups.