SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) – Jacqueline Batteast hit two free throws with 17.5 seconds left to lift Notre Dame to a 38-36 win over No. 23 Villanova on Saturday.
Villanova (13-4, 3-3) entered the game leading the nation in fewest turnovers a game at 9.3, but Notre Dame (11-7, 4-2) forced the Wildcats into 14, including 10 in the first half.
The Irish also held Villanova scoreless for 5:20 during a key stretch in the second half.
Batteast led all scorers with 14 points and Megan Duffy added 10, including a 3-pointer with 1:50 remaining to tie the game.
Liad Suez and Courtney Mix scored nine each for Villanova.
The Wildcats broke out to an early 11-6 lead eight minutes into the game behind three 3-pointers, including two by senior forward Kelly Nash.
Notre Dame, paced by six straight points from Batteast, battled back against Villanova’s methodical control offense to go ahead 14-13. At halftime, the score was tied at 18.