RALEIGH, N.C. — In an electrifying matchup, Zoe Brooks delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a personal best of 33 points, which guided the 13th-ranked N.C. State Wolfpack to a thrilling 104-95 victory over the top-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sunday. This win not only ended Notre Dame’s impressive 19-game winning streak but also kept N.C. State’s aspirations for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular-season title alive.
Brooks also grabbed 10 rebounds, showcasing her versatility on the court, while Aziaha James contributed significantly with 20 points. James executed a spectacular transition layup where she maneuvered the ball around her back to avoid being stripped by Olivia Miles, a move that sent the packed Reynolds Coliseum into a frenzy.
The game was a nail-biter, featuring a remarkable 21 lead changes. In the end, N.C. State managed to fend off the Irish, preventing them from claiming the ACC regular-season championship outright. On the other side, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo poured in 26 points, with Sonia Citron supporting her team with 23 points and hitting a crucial 3-pointer over James with just 0.6 seconds remaining in regulation to extend the contest.
Insights on Notre Dame reveal that they claimed the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 for the first time under Head Coach Niele Ivey at the beginning of the week. Their only previous losses this season were against TCU and Utah in November, but their short-lived reign at the top now seems set to change after this defeat.
For N.C. State, they were coming off a string of successes with 15 wins in 16 games prior to their recent setback against the 9th-ranked North Carolina. However, they bounced back with a win against the 20th-ranked Georgia Tech before this monumental victory against Notre Dame, displaying depth with five players scoring in double figures, shooting 45.6% from the field, and successfully converting 24 of 26 attempts from the free-throw line.
A pivotal moment came during the second overtime when N.C. State opened the period with a 10-0 run. Rivers set up Trygger for a key high-low finish, followed by Brooks scoring a floater, and James delivering her highlight reel layup, pushing the score to 98-92.
In terms of standout performances, freshman Tilda Trygger, standing at 6-foot-6, surprised many by matching her season-high with 19 points, exceeding her average of 6.4 points.
Looking ahead, both teams will be back in action on Thursday. Notre Dame will host Florida State, while N.C. State is set for their home finale against Wake Forest.
