ACC Rivals Battle: No.2 Notre Dame women’s basketball To Battle No.13 Duke Blue Devils For its nation-leading 18-game winning streak

In a highly anticipated Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) matchup, the No. 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball team is set to host the No. 13 Duke Blue Devils on Monday evening. The game, scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana, will be broadcast live on ESPN as part of the network’s “Big Monday” showcase. citeturn0search3

**Notre Dame’s Dominance**

The Fighting Irish enter the contest with a stellar 22-2 overall record, riding a nation-leading 17-game winning streak. Their most recent victory was an 88-57 triumph over Pittsburgh, where junior guard Olivia Miles delivered a standout performance, tying the school’s single-game record with eight three-pointers and amassing a season-high 28 points. Senior guard Sonia Citron also contributed significantly, recording 22 points and securing her third double-double of the season. citeturn0news36

Throughout this impressive streak, Notre Dame has showcased offensive efficiency, leading the ACC in field goal percentage (50.4%), three-point shooting (42.3%), assists, and steals. The dynamic backcourt duo of Miles and Citron has been pivotal, consistently orchestrating the offense and applying defensive pressure. citeturn0search0

**Duke’s Resilience**

The Blue Devils, boasting a 20-5 overall record and an 11-2 mark in ACC play, stand third in the conference standings. Under the guidance of head coach Kara Lawson, Duke has demonstrated resilience, rebounding from a recent 89-83 loss to NC State with three consecutive victories over Clemson, Miami, and Wake Forest. In their latest outing, freshman forward Toby Fournier led the team with 17 points in just 15 minutes, while sophomore guard Oluchi Okananwa added 15 points, propelling the Blue Devils to a commanding 72-47 win over Wake Forest. citeturn0search5

Defensively, Duke has been formidable, ranking second in the ACC in total defense and third in team field goal percentage. Their aggressive style forces an average of 21.5 turnovers per game, the highest in the conference, which could be a critical factor against a proficient Notre Dame offense. citeturn0search0

**Key Matchup Factors**

The outcome of this game may hinge on several critical factors:

– **Perimeter Shooting**: Notre Dame’s proficiency from beyond the arc, highlighted by Miles’ recent performance, poses a significant threat. Duke’s defense will need to contest perimeter shots effectively to limit the Irish’s scoring.

– **Turnover Battle**: Duke’s ability to force turnovers against Notre Dame’s disciplined ball-handling will be crucial. Creating extra possessions could provide the Blue Devils with the edge needed to disrupt the Irish’s rhythm.

– **Composure Under Pressure**: Playing in the hostile environment of Purcell Pavilion, Duke’s players must maintain composure, especially given Notre Dame’s tendency to start games with high intensity. citeturn0search0

**Implications**

This matchup carries significant implications for the ACC regular-season title race. A victory for Notre Dame would extend their winning streak to 18 games and solidify their position atop the conference standings. Conversely, a Duke upset would tighten the race, bringing them closer to the top spot and potentially altering postseason seeding.

Fans can anticipate a high-caliber contest between two of the ACC’s premier programs, each aiming to assert dominance as the regular season approaches its climax.

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