CLEMSON, S.C. — In a tightly contested matchup on Sunday, Liatu King shone brightly for No. 3 Notre Dame, scoring 23 points and grabbing 11 rebounds as the Irish secured a 67-58 victory over Clemson. This win was notable as the team played without their standout guard, Hannah Hidalgo, who was sidelined due to a foot injury and was seen in a protective boot prior to the game.

King’s impressive performance included shooting 10 out of 14 from the field, stepping up significantly in Hidalgo’s absence. Alongside her, Olivia Miles contributed 17 points and nine assists, while Sonia Citron added nine points and six rebounds. With this victory, Notre Dame improved their record to 14-2 overall and 5-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, marking their ninth consecutive win.

For Clemson, which now stands at 10-7 and 3-3 in conference play, both Loyal McQueen and Hannah Kohn were top scorers with 14 points each. However, the Tigers struggled in the fourth quarter, managing only six successful shots out of 16 attempts. At one point, Tessa Miller’s layup brought Clemson within three points at 49-46 with about eight minutes remaining. However, Notre Dame quickly regained control, with King scoring four consecutive points to expand their lead into double digits.

Despite the win not being the most visually appealing for Notre Dame and the absence of Hidalgo impacting their flow, they effectively controlled the rebounding battle, finishing with 40 boards compared to Clemson’s 35. They also displayed strong teamwork with 19 assists, showcasing their potential as championship contenders.

Clemson’s effort was commendable, especially as they aimed for an upset; however, their struggles were evident as they shot just 20% from three-point range, limiting their offensive effectiveness.

A crucial moment of the game came when Maddy Westbeld hit a critical three-pointer with just 1:44 on the clock, extending Notre Dame’s lead to 12 points and effectively dashing Clemson’s hopes for an upset win.

Looking ahead, both teams will take to the court again on Thursday evening, with Notre Dame facing No. 13 Georgia Tech at home, while Clemson will travel to play against the same opponent.