TALLAHASSEE. – It was five games in 11 days for the No. 20/19 Notre Dame women’s basketball team, as the Fighting Irish’s (18-5, 9-3) final leg of the gauntlet ended with a 70-65 loss at Florida State (11-10, 5-6). The Irish fought back down 18 with eight minutes remaining to pull within two points, but just couldn’t get the tying basket to fall.
The loss marked the first time the Irish fell to the Seminoles in the all-time series, now at 11-1-0.
Olivia Miles led all ND scorers with 17 points, including nine in the fourth quarter. Both Sonia Citron and Maya Dodson supplied 15 points, as the latter earned a double-double with a team high 10 rebounds. Maddy Westbeld rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12 points, including a 2-for-2 mark from three.
How It Happened
Notre Dame opened on the game converting six of its first nine shots, building a 12-9 lead at the 4:51 mark. The Irish later posted a 7-0 scoring run, capped by a Westbeld three, from 2:50-0:51, before ultimately claiming a 19-13 advantage after the first period. Citron led with six points in the quarter followed by five from Westbeld.
Miles connected on a couple of early layups in the second to put the Irish up six, but then the offense got out of rhythm. Notre Dame couldn’t score for over a six-minute stretch, allowing the Seminoles to counter with an 11-0 scoring run.
Brunelle and Miles ended the drought in the final minute to get the Irish within one point at 30-29 at the half. Notre Dame shot 4-of-14 in the second quarter compared to Florida State’s 6-of-14.
FSU started the second half making its first six shots from the field, extending their lead to double digits, 43-33, at the 5:47 mark. The Irish suffered another long scoring drought, this time spanning close to five minutes. All-in-all, Notre Dame made just three baskets in the quarter, which included a Citron buzzer-beater which pulled the Irish to within 14, down 52-38.
With two quick FSU baskets to start the fourth, ND found itself in an 18-point hole with 8:11 remaining. The Irish continued to fight, rallying with a 19-4 scoring spree to pull within one possession with 3:19 left.
Miles had an open three look with two minutes left which would have tied the game but it unfortunately rimmed out. Later down five, Westbeld hit a big three which kept the Irish within striking distance at 66-64 with 53 seconds left. Citron also had a layup attempt down two with 12 seconds left.
All-in-all, FSU hit its free throws and a clutch and-one down the stretch to stymie the rally for the 70-65 win.
Up Next
Notre Dame heads back to Purcell Pavilion for game No. 24 on the season when they host Miami on Thursday, Feb. 10. The Irish vs Hurricanes matchup will be the program’s annual Pink Game, featuring a special halftime recognition with cancer survivors alongside the Notre Dame football team.
— ND —