Top-ranked Notre Dame's dreams of finishing the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season undefeated came crashing down on Sunday as they fell to No. 13 North Carolina State, 104-95, in a thrilling double-overtime matchup at Reynolds Coliseum.
The game was nothing short of spectacular, featuring 21 lead changes and nail-biting moments as the teams battled fiercely for conference supremacy. Notre Dame had entered the game riding high on their 19-game winning streak and looked to secure the ACC regular season title, but NC State had other plans.
With the clock winding down and showing only 0.6 seconds left on the board, Irish senior Sonia Citron delivered one of the most dramatic moments of the game, sinking a miraculous three-pointer to tie the game at 84 and push it to overtime. "SONIA CITRON TRIPLE!! She really did it!!" exclaimed the Notre Dame Women's Basketball account shortly after the shot, capturing the electric atmosphere surrounding Citron's clutch performance.
Despite Citron's heroics, Notre Dame faced relentless pressure from the Wolfpack, particularly from Zoe Brooks, who had a career-high 33 points and 10 rebounds. Aziaha James also stepped up for NC State, dazzling fans with her skills, including a jaw-dropping behind-the-back layup, contributing to the electrifying ambiance of the match.
Throughout regulation, the contest was tight, showcasing the skills of both teams. NC State, having previously experienced competitive losses against top-ranked teams, applied their experience and resilience effectively. After Citron's game-tying shot, both teams entered the first overtime, still locked at 84 points, as the intensity heightened.
The first overtime saw both teams exchanging leads once more, entrenching the audience's excitement, but ending with neither team gaining the upper hand. Tension filled the air, exemplifying the razor-thin margins throughout the game. Fans could hardly contain their enthusiasm as social media erupted to share their thoughts on the exhilarating contest.
The second overtime proved difficult for Notre Dame as NC State quickly established dominance with a decisive 10-0 run. Brooks, along with NC State's other standout players, including 6-foot-6 freshman Tilda Trygger, who matched her season high with 19 points, contributed to the Wolfpack's surge. "The Wolfpack UPSETS No. 1 Notre Dame, in a thrilling DOUBLE OVERTIME!" tweeted NCAA March Madness, summarizing the monumental upset.
Despite Hannah Hidalgo's commendable performance for the Irish, where she contributed 26 points, the Irish struggled to convert opportunities, securing just one basket during the decisive second overtime period.
This monumental clash not only pulled many viewers but also gathered attention from basketball legends like Magic Johnson, who tweeted his amazement at the level of play, saying, "Aziaha James’s behind-the-back layup was unbelievable as NC State upset #1 Notre Dame in this double-overtime classic!"
With the victory, NC State improved to 22-5, maintaining their position as contenders for the ACC regular season title, now at 14-2 within the conference, with their momentum bolstered by this significant win. On the other side, Notre Dame's record falls to 24-3 and now stands at 15-1 within the ACC. The Irish will be forced to regroup quickly, as they aim to bounce back against Florida State in their upcoming matchup.
Both teams will look to leverage the drama of this encounter as they head toward the postseason. Notre Dame, currently on the hunt for redemption, is hopeful for reinstatement to their winning ways. Meanwhile, NC State's win showcases their capability to challenge the top teams, setting the stage for the remainder of the ACC season and beyond.
Creatively dubbed by fans as "cinema," the game undoubtedly left its mark on the NCAA calendar. The high stakes, skillful plays, and standout performances will resonate with players and fans as they look back on another thrilling chapter of women's college basketball.
With College GameDay set to return to Notre Dame next week for their matchup against Louisville, the excitement continues to build, promising more high-caliber action. This clash between Notre Dame and NC State will certainly be remembered as one of the best games of the season.