NOTRE DAME, IN — The No. 15 Notre Dame women’s basketball team rallied from seven down in the fourth quarter against No. 16 Michigan State, with a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but the three-point attempt didn’t fall, as the Fighting Irish (2-2) dropped a 72-69 decision.
Brunelle tallied 11 points in the fourth to finish with a co-team high of 19 points with Katlyn Gilbert. Brunelle nearly logged a double-double with eight boards to go along with her three blocks. In addition, Anaya Peoples supplied 15 points, while Danielle Cosgrove earned a career best with 12 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Michigan State started 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, jumping out to a 17-4 advantage. However, the Irish kept the Spartans off the scoreboard for the final 4:26 of the quarter, cutting the deficit to 17-10.
The Irish defense remained strong to start the second, extending the MSU scoreless streak for another 2:30 for a combined scoreless stretch of seven minutes. In that span, the Irish forced eight total turnovers, pulling within three at 17-14.
After two points in the first, Katlyn Gilbert powered the Irish offensively in the second, connecting on 5-of-10 from the field to supply 10 points for the period. Notre Dame pulled to 21-20 at 4:35, but ultimately trailed 32-26 at the half.
The Spartans edged the Irish 21-18 in the third quarter to take a 53-44 advantage heading into the final period. Notre Dame got most of its scoring from the free-throw line, converting 10-of-15 from the stripe.
Cosgrove kicked off the fourth with a three-pointer, energizing her squad and the home fans alike. Brunelle then caught the spark, scoring six of the team’s next seven points from 7:08-5:30, pulling the Irish to within one at 58-57. However, what followed next was a 3:30 scoring drought, as Michigan State built its lead back up to six at 67-61 with 38 seconds remaining.
After a 1-of-2 trip from the line from Walker, Brunelle garnered a steal and delivered the layup, making it a one-possession game with 27 seconds left. Later down 70-66, Brunelle delivers with a clutch three with 10 seconds left. Notre Dame immediately fouled, sending Michigan State’s Taryn McCutcheon to the line, who converted both. With nine seconds left, the Irish dribbled the length of the court, but the three didn’t fall, as the Irish came up short, 72-69.
Notes
- With the loss, Notre Dame still leads the overall series, 11-9, against Michigan State, with a 6-5 mark at home. The Spartans snap Notre Dame’s seven-game win streak against them.
- Brunelle logged her fourth consecutive game in double figures with 19 points tonight. The last freshman to start her Irish career with four straight was Brianna Turner in 2014. The 19 points marked a season high for the freshman.
- The Irish forced 20 turnovers tonight and have now forced 48 total over the last two games.
- Danielle Cosgrove doubled her career high with 12 points tonight, converting 5-of-8 from the line.
UP NEXT
The Fighting Irish conclude their four-game homestand with Toledo on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. ET. The game will stream live on ACCNX.