SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No. 24 Florida State (18-5, 7-3) arrived to face No. 7 Notre Dame (17-2, 8-1) having not posted fewer than 71 points in any game this season. That is no longer.
On Thursday night, the two ranked foes faced off at Purcell Pavilion, and Notre Dame walked away with a 70-47 win. It was the team’s fifth-straight victory and keeps the group tied for first in the ACC.
“I thought that was a statement win today,” said Niele Ivey, Karen and Kevin Keyes Family Head Coach. “That’s a really great Florida State team. I’ve been so impressed watching them all season. To hold that type of team to 47 points is a testament to our defensive identity.”
Florida State’s freshman phenom Ta’Niya Latson led all Division I rookies with 23.6 points per game as of Wednesday, and Notre Dame held her to just 9. She had posted double-figures in her first 22 collegiate games.
While the offense struggled early, it was firing on all cylinders in the second half. After the break, Notre Dame outscored Florida State 48-24. Sonia Citron led the way with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Freshman KK Bransford tied her career-high with six buckets for 15 points.
After getting her first start in an Irish uniform in place of an injured Dara Mabrey, Lauren Ebo posted her third double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
“I really loved the toughness and resilience that we showed in the second half,” Ivey said. “We started getting stops defensively and got out and ran.”
Notre Dame shot 55 percent in the third quarter, going 11-20 from the floor. They totaled 55 rebounds, the fifth time this year eclipsing that mark. Seven players had 5+ boards.
“I think we really just played for each other and Dara tonight,” forward Kylee Watson said after the game. “Coming into that second half, we knew that we needed to get our stuff together. We were talking so much. We really had each other’s backs, and I think that was the biggest reason why we were able to pull away like that.”
The Irish won’t get a break in their next contest. Notre Dame heads to No. 20 NC State on Sunday for a sold out battle, and they’ll be seeking revenge after the Wolfpack ended their season in the Sweet 16 last March. Sunday’s game will air on ESPN at 3 p.m. Notre Dame is 8-2 all-time against NC State with a 3-1 clip in Raleigh.