Notre Dame locks in on defense ahead of NCAA round one

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The three-seed Notre Dame women’s basketball team got in one of their final practices Thursday before facing off with Stephen F. Austin on Friday for round one of the NCAA tournaments.

The Irish last played on March 8th in a stunning 61-56 loss to Duke in the semifinals of the ACC tournament.

Following that loss, head coach Niele Ivey highlighted the importance of the Irish putting up a stronger defense performance, which would set up their offense better.

The team relies heavily on defensive success in the half-court to set up their transition-based offense.

Players told ABC57 News that Coach Ivey had been raising the intensity and difficulty of practice scenarios since the loss to Duke in order to ready the Irish for the tournament.

Coach Ivey says the team will focus heavily on defending the perimeter against a Stephen F. Austin team that shoots well from beyond the arc.

Notre Dame and Stephen F. Austin tipoff at 2 p.m. on Friday.