JUST IN: NC State Stuns No. 1 Notre Dame in Double OT Thriller, 104-95, Championship Hopes in Jeopardy for Irish
In a jaw-dropping display of grit and resilience, the NC State Wolfpack handed the top-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish their most devastating loss of the season, winning 104-95 in a double overtime thriller. The game, which took place in front of a raucous crowd at PNC Arena, saw both teams battle fiercely until the final whistle, but it was NC State’s unwavering determination that ultimately led them to the upset victory.
Notre Dame, ranked No. 1 in the nation, entered the game with a perfect record, but the Wolfpack quickly showed that they were not intimidated by the Irish’s lofty status. NC State dominated much of the first half, with guard **Jada Boyd** leading the way with an explosive 20 points, helping the Wolfpack build a 10-point lead heading into the locker room. Boyd’s performance was a key factor in the upset, as she displayed exceptional shooting from beyond the arc and in transition, keeping Notre Dame on their heels.
However, Notre Dame would not be denied. As expected, the Irish fought back with all their might in the second half, with standout guard **Olivia Miles** putting up a stellar 15 points in the third quarter alone. Miles, a player who has been central to Notre Dame’s offensive prowess all season, sparked a 10-0 run midway through the second half, allowing the Irish to reclaim the lead. But the Wolfpack, led by senior forward **Diamond Johnson**, wouldn’t relent, and the game stayed neck-and-neck in the closing minutes of regulation.
With the score tied at 75 at the end of the fourth quarter, the game headed to overtime, where the stakes were raised even higher. In the first overtime, both teams exchanged clutch baskets, with **Maddy Westbeld** of Notre Dame and **Jakia Brown-Turner** of NC State both stepping up with big shots to keep their respective teams alive. However, despite some heroic performances, neither team could pull ahead, and a second overtime period was needed to determine a winner.
In double overtime, it was clear that NC State had the momentum. After a back-and-forth first few minutes, the Wolfpack went on a 12-4 run, largely due to the efforts of **Camille Hobby**, who scored 8 of those 12 points. Notre Dame, clearly fatigued from the grueling contest, struggled to keep up. The Irish’s defense, which had been one of the best in the nation throughout the season, was unable to stop NC State’s hot shooting in the extra periods, and the Wolfpack pulled away for the stunning 104-95 victory.
The loss is a devastating blow to Notre Dame’s championship aspirations. While the team still has a strong record, the defeat raises serious questions about their ability to win in high-pressure situations. Head coach **Niele Ivey** expressed disappointment after the game but remained optimistic about her team’s ability to bounce back. “We’ve been through adversity before, and I believe we can learn from this and come back stronger,” Ivey said in a post-game interview.
On the other hand, NC State’s head coach **Wes Moore** was overjoyed with the performance, calling it a complete team effort. “This was an incredible win for our program. We never stopped fighting, and our girls showed the heart and determination we pride ourselves on,” Moore said.
The win is a major boost for NC State’s NCAA tournament hopes, as they continue to make a case for a high seed. The Wolfpack will face a tough road ahead, but after this signature win, they have proven that they can compete with the best. For Notre Dame, this loss serves as a wake-up call, and the Irish will need to regroup quickly if they hope to secure a spot in the national championship race.
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