Shortcuts
Notre Dame/UConn Extend Series Four YearsNotre Dame/UConn Extend Series Four Years

Notre Dame/UConn Extend Series Four Years

Series will go through 2023-24 season

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The top rivalry in NCAA Division I women’s basketball, Notre Dame and Connecticut, will live on through the 2023-24 season, as both programs agreed to extend the series four more years. The final game of the previous contract will take place Dec. 8 of this year inside Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut.

The new extension will see the Huskies visit Purcell Pavilion on both Dec. 6, 2020, and Dec. 4 of 2022. The Irish will then return the trips to Connecticut on Dec. 5 of 2021, and Dec. 3 of 2023.

Mabrey_NCAA_UConn_01-1

The two sides have competed 50 times since their inaugural bout back in January of 1996, with UConn leading the series 37-13. However, over the last nine years, Notre Dame has defeated UConn nine times, while all other Division I teams have combined for eight wins.

Furthermore, the Irish have defeated the Huskies in back-to-back National Semifinals, improving their record to 5-3 all-time against UConn in the NCAA Tournament. The five NCAA Tournament wins against Connecticut not only stand as the most in women’s basketball, but also doubles the next highest team.

— ND —

Top Irish Moments in the Rivalry

2001 National Semifinal in St. Louis:Alicia Ratay & Niele Ivey combined for 41 points to knock off UConn, 90-75. The Irish went on to claim the program’s first national title against Purdue.
2011 National Semifinal in Indianapolis:Skylar Diggins led the Irish with 28 points, defeating UConn, 72-63.
2012 National Semifinal in Denver:Natalie Novosel tied the game at 67 with three seconds left, and ultimately led the Irish to an 83-75 overtime victory, scoring 20 total points.
March 4, 2013:Kayla McBride tied the game with eight seconds left in the first overtime in what ended up as a triple-overtime classic, 96-87 Irish, inside Purcell Pavilion. McBride finished with 26 points.
2013 Big East Tournament Final:Natalie Achonwa hit the game-winning layup with 1.8 seconds left, defeating UConn, 61-59.
2018 National Semifinal in Columbus:Arike Ogunbowale hit her first of two famous buzzer-beaters, this one in overtime, defeating UConn, 91-89. The Irish went on to beat Mississippi State for the program’s second national title.