The No. 13-ranked NC State women’s basketball team took down No. 1 Notre Dame in Raleigh, scoring an 104-95 upset in double overtime on Sunday afternoon. The win was the first for the Wolfpack over the No. 1 team in the AP poll since 1978, while the Irish lost their first game in ACC play this season.
In the second overtime, Tilda Trygger gave the Wolfpack a 94-92 lead on a pass at the basket from Saniya Rivers. NC State followed that up with a jumper by Zoe Brooks and fast-break layup from Aziaha James — who dribbled behind her back to free up a shot — to build a six-point margin halfway through the period.
That lead increased to eight with Rivers driving through the lane for a layup at the 2:17 mark. Hannah Hidalgo missed the next two shots for Notre Dame and then fouled out of the game with 59 seconds remaining. Olivia Miles hit a 3 to cut the margin to seven, but Brooks closed out the win by making two free throws.
Sonia Citron sent the game to overtime, nailing a 3-pointer for the Irish over Aziaha James with 0.6 seconds remaining to tie the score at 84-84. James missed a potential game-winner on the other end and the game went to an extra five minutes.
The first overtime was briefly delayed by a medical emergency in the stands, then the battle continued with both teams trading baskets. James hit a short jumper in the key to tie the score at 92-92 with 20 seconds remaining. But Notre Dame had the final shot and with 3.5 seconds left out of a timeout and Miles missed a 3 from the corner. Maddy Westbeld got the rebound and was fouled, but that occurred after time expired.
Madison Hayes drove for a layup to give the Wolfpack a 78-77 lead with 53 seconds remaining in regulation. Brooks extended the margin by drawing a foul after an offensive rebound and making two free throws. Miles cut the margin to one on a layup with 18 seconds left. But Brooks knocked down two more free throws to boost the lead to 82-79.
Coming out of a timeout, the Irish had an opportunity for a tying 3 or quick 2-point basket with 15.9 seconds remaining. But they ran nearly 10 seconds off the clock before Liatu King scored at the basket. Two more free throws from Hayes restored the lead to three, setting up Citron’s clutch shot.
NC State stood up to the top-ranked Irish from the opening tip, running out to a 12-5 lead that was the Wolfpack’s largest margin of the game. With a loud crowd at Reynolds Coliseum cheering the home team on, the Wolfpack maintained a narrow lead until Hidalgo put Notre Dame on top, 58-57, at the end of the third quarter.
Aziaha James’s behind-the-back layup was unbelievable as NC State upset #1 Notre Dame in a double overtime classic. 🤯 NC State guard Zoe Brooks led the team with 33 points and 10 rebounds in the 104-95 victory! This has been the best women’s college basketball game this season!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 23, 2025
Brooks scored a game-high 33 points with 10 rebounds for NC State, hitting all 14 of her free throws. James followed with 20, while Trygger scored 19 points with nine rebounds. Rivers nearly had a triple-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.
For the Irish, Hidalgo scored 26 points but shot 8-of-26 from the floor. Citron added 23 points with seven rebounds, followed by Miles’ 22 points and nine boards.
With the defeat, Notre Dame dropped to 24-3 and 15-1 in the ACC. Up next for the Irish is a home game versus Florida State (21-6, 11-4) on Thursday. NC State improved to 22-5 overall, 14-2 in the ACC and hosts last-place Wake Forest (9-17, 2-13), also on Thursday.
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