Notre Dame secures double bye in ACC tournament after two huge wins

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- No. 17 Notre Dame defeated No. 22 Louisville 74-58 Sunday at Purcell Pavilion in stunning fashion, securing a double bye for the ACC tournament this week.

This was their second huge win over a ranked opponent in a row, having defeated No. 5 Virigina Tech Thursday, 71-58. Each game holding the opposing offense to only 58 points.

Hidalgo led the Irish Sunday with 26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 steals. Sonia Citron was also a huge contributor, adding 17 points and a career-high 4 blocks.

Maddy Westbeld added 11 points and 11 rebounds, marking her 12th double-double of the season in what could have been her final home game at Purcell Pavilion.

"The crowd, the energy, the way this team is gelling right now is just phenomenal. I'm so proud of the way we've fought through adversity. We've stuck together, and we're peaking at the right time," shared Notre Dame Coach Niele Ivey.

Defensively, the Irish have not allowed a team to score more than 62 points in their last six games. Sydney Taylor led Louisville with 11 points, and she was the only Cardinal in double-figures.

Notre Dame will start ACC tournament play in Greensboro, North Carolina on Friday. They will find out their opponent following Thursday's games.

Following Sunday's victory over Louisville, Ivey had some words to share with the Irish fans that packed the seats in Purcell.