DULUTH, Ga. — The Notre Dame Fighting Irish continued their impressive run Saturday, securing a spot in the ACC Tournament semifinals with a 81-63 victory over NC State on Friday. Now, riding a seven-game win streak, No. 5 Notre Dame (22-9) prepares to face No. 1 Duke (22-8) with a trip to the ACC Tournament championship game on the line. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2, with Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli calling the action.
The Irish are peaking at the right time, fueled by the stellar play of junior guard Hannah Hidalgo. Hidalgo has scored at least 25 points in six consecutive games, a feat unmatched by any other ACC player this century, according to team reports. This recent surge has propelled Notre Dame to a 7-0 record in their last seven contests.
Friday’s win against the Wolfpack saw Hidalgo and Iyana Moore combine for 45 points, with Moore also achieving a career-high nine rebounds. Cassandre Prosper, named the ACC’s Most Improved Player this season, contributed 13 points, marking her 24th game of the year with double-digit scoring. The Irish dominated the boards, and their offensive rhythm proved too much for NC State.
Irish Look to Avenge Past Losses Against Duke
Notre Dame holds an overall record of 19-6 against Duke, including a 4-1 advantage in ACC Tournament matchups. However, the Blue Devils have had the upper hand recently, defeating the Irish in last year’s ACC Tournament semifinals and again during the 2025-26 regular season with an 82-68 victory. Revenge will be a motivating factor for Hidalgo and her teammates as they aim to advance to the championship game, according to reporting from the South Bend Tribune.
Duke enters the semifinal as the No. 1 seed, boasting a 16-2 record in ACC play and an overall record of 22-8. They are led by All-ACC First Team selection Toby Fournier, who averages 17.7 points per game. Duke’s official athletics website notes that Taina Mair and Ashlon Jackson also play key roles, averaging 11.0 and 11.7 points respectively.
Key Stats and Recent Performance
Hidalgo’s recent scoring streak is particularly noteworthy. Her sixth consecutive 25+ point performance ties her for the most 20+ point games in an ACC Tournament by any player this century. Iyana Moore has also been a consistent threat from beyond the arc, hitting four three-pointers on Friday, marking the 10th time this season she’s made four or more triples in a game. Notre Dame is 4-0 all-time against NC State in the ACC Tournament.
The Irish outscored Duke 11-7 after the Blue Devils began the game up 10-0, but Jordan Wood’s last-second bucket to end the first quarter keeps Duke in the lead 17-11. Duke switched to a man defense, even as the Irish went from a man to start to a 2-3 zone to end the period. According to ESPN, Duke currently has a 76.9% win probability.
What comes next for both teams will depend on the outcome of Saturday’s semifinal. A win for Notre Dame would send them to the ACC Tournament championship game, while a Duke victory would secure their place in the final and keep their hopes alive for an ACC Tournament title. The winner will face either Louisville or UNC.
Share your thoughts on the upcoming matchup in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow college basketball fans!
