DULUTH, Ga. (AP) — Fifth-seeded Notre Dame had three shots in the final 11 seconds with the game on the line, but top-seeded Duke hung onto its lead and came out on top 65-63 in the semifinals of the 2026 Ally ACC Women's Basketball Tournament on Saturday.

The Irish overcame a flat start and first-half deficit, taking their first lead of the game with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Notre Dame was up 49-46 at the start of the fourth quarter. A back-and-forth battle would ensue, and it ultimately leaned in the Blue Devils’ favor.

Hope looked lost for Notre Dame after a 3-pointer by Taina Mair gave the Blue Devils a 64-60 lead with just over a minute remaining. Hannah Hidalgo restored the team’s faith with a clutch steal turned into a 3-pointer, cutting the deficit to 64-63.

After Duke’s Riley Nelson went 1-of-2 on the free-throw line, Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey called a final timeout with 51.6 seconds remaining to draw up what she hoped would be the game-winner, but the Irish fell short in the final seconds of a hard-fought battle.

Hidalgo led the Irish with 24 points and eight rebounds.

Mair had a team-high 16 points and added eight rebounds for Duke. Toby Fournier added 14 points and eight rebounds.

Up Next
Duke: The Blue Devils advance to the title game on Sunday, where they’ll play the winner of the other semifinal between Louisville and North Carolina.

Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish awaits its fate on selection Sunday.