Tue Feb 18 01:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Notre Dame Upends Duke in Top-10 Showdown
**SOUTH BEND, Ind.** — The No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish secured a hard-fought 64-59 victory over the No. 11 Duke Blue Devils on Monday night, extending their winning streak to 18 games. This win marks their 17th consecutive ACC victory, a testament to their dominance in the conference. The victory also comes on the heels of Notre Dame reclaiming the top spot in the AP poll for the first time in over six years.
Hannah Hidalgo led the Irish with 19 points, while Sonia Citron contributed 15 points and 7 rebounds. Maddy Westbeld added 11 points to the winning effort. Taina Mair paced Duke with 15 points.
A decisive third quarter proved to be the turning point. Notre Dame unleashed a stifling defense, holding Duke to a paltry 0-of-6 shooting and forcing four turnovers during a 17-1 run. This surge allowed the Irish to outscore the Blue Devils 21-8 in the period and take a commanding 50-35 lead.
While both teams struggled offensively in the second quarter, Notre Dame managed to edge ahead by two points at halftime (29-27). A late three-pointer by Westbeld ignited a crucial 5-0 run to close the half.
Although Duke’s bench outscored Notre Dame’s, the Irish’s second-half defensive pressure proved insurmountable. They forced 11 turnovers and limited Duke to just 22 points in the final two quarters. A highlight-reel play featuring a block by Westbeld, followed by a fast break assisted by Hidalgo and finished by Citron, showcased the Irish’s intensity.
Despite a strong start (5 of 6 from the field), Duke struggled with consistency, finishing the game shooting just 32% (15 for 47) from the field.
Notre Dame will next travel to Miami, while Duke hosts Louisville on Thursday.
First Piper 