RALEIGH, N.C. — In a nail-biting finish, Sonia Citron of the top-ranked Notre Dame team found herself in a critical situation with mere seconds remaining on the clock. Trailing by three points, she launched a challenging three-pointer over N.C. State’s Aziaha James. The shot swished through the net, triggering an ecstatic celebration among her teammates, while James stood in disbelief with clenched fists.
However, James soon delivered her own moment of brilliance with a stunning layup during the 13th-ranked Wolfpack’s decisive run in the second overtime. The play showcased her creativity as she transitioned the ball behind her back to evade a steal attempt from Olivia Miles. The thrilling clash finally concluded with the Wolfpack claiming a 104-95 victory in a double-overtime classic that captured national attention. The exciting contest drew comments from former NBA star Magic Johnson, who shared his thoughts on social media, emphasizing the competitive spirit that permeated the matchup.
Notre Dame’s head coach, Niele Ivey, noted the significance of having ESPN’s “College GameDay” on-site, reflecting on the growing visibility of women’s basketball. “That means there’s more eyes on our game,” she said, grateful for the chance to promote the sport and the Atlantic Coast Conference. The hype around the game was amplified by the implications at stake; the Fighting Irish aimed to extend their 19-game winning streak and secure the regular-season title outright with a victory, while N.C. State looked to maintain its chance at a share of the title and sought to defeat a top-ranked opponent at home for the first time since 1978.
As game day approached, anticipation surged. Eager Wolfpack fans queued for hours outside the iconic arena, while seven WNBA franchises dispatched scouts to witness the matchup. It was a showdown showcasing Notre Dame’s superb backcourt of Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles against N.C. State’s talented guards, including Saniya Rivers and the explosive James.
The contest was a captivating display of skill, reflecting the deep talent pool ready to step into the limelight following last year’s stars, including Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. As the contest unfolded, N.C. State’s Zoe Brooks shone brightly, scoring a career-high 33 points and consistently challenging Hidalgo’s 26 points, resulting in a game that featured 21 lead changes and ties, elevating it beyond just another regular-season match.
In the exciting aftermath, Wolfpack players reveled together on the court, celebrating what proved to be a grueling yet exhilarating win. Shortly thereafter, the jubilant group made their way to the campus Memorial Belltower to rally with fans, reminiscent of the previous spring when both the men’s and women’s teams reached the Final Four in an unexpected double achievement.
Reflecting on the electric atmosphere, Rivers expressed her emotional reactions to witnessing students camping overnight in anticipation of the game. “You think back and it’s just like: people usually don’t even like women’s basketball. But it’s just evolving ever since a year or two ago, and everybody is starting to get more involved,” she remarked, highlighting the growing interest in women’s sports.
Wolfpack’s coach Wes Moore reiterated the community bond, recalling the team’s gesture of distributing doughnuts to waiting fans. “I told our players: ‘You worked hard to put yourself in this position. Now enjoy it,’” he said, savoring the celebratory moments that followed the game.
Key plays from the contest stood out, including Citron’s crucial three-pointer, where she notably scored 21 of her 23 points after halftime. “I had to shoot it,” she said, acknowledging the unexpected nature of her shot.
The excitement continued with James’ incredible layup during the second overtime, where sporting a bandage over her eyebrow, she skillfully maneuvered the ball around her body before nailing the shot. The electric atmosphere in the arena reached a fever pitch as Wolfpack fans erupted in disbelief, and Johnson aptly described the game as “unbelievable” while branding it the best women’s college basketball game of the season.
It was hard to argue against that, with both teams delivering a performance that exceeded all expectations.
