BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Notre Dame Women’s basketball fell short to the number one seed North Carolina State 63 to 66 in the Sweet 16.

Although the Irish previously beat the Wolfpack in the regular season, they were unable to pull off the win Saturday for a chance to advance to the Elite 8.

“Well, tough loss. It came down to one possession. It's really, really hard going through this type of situation, scenario. But I'm super proud of my team,” said Notre Dame Head Coach Niele Ivey.

The Irish fought the whole game after a slow start to the first quarter, but Notre Dame found their touch and their way to the basket and went in to halftime with the lead 30 to 38.

“Yeah, I mean, we kind of dealt with some adversity at the beginning. Maya in foul trouble, and that was the game plan was to have her guard her. But I think I just stepped up to the assignment,” said Notre Dame Women’s Basketball forward Maddy Westbeld.

Despite Notre Dame coming out on top during the second and third quarters, the Irish were unable to finish in the final quarter and with the Wolfpack getting a big steal at the end of the game to take the lead by one point.

“It's just incredible to see what we've done, and I'm sure we're going to remember this feeling like we remembered the feeling last year and come back and go even farther,” said Olivia Miles, starting point guard.

“I don't want them to feel like this is the end of the world. We have a bright future. I'm starting two freshmen and a sophomore. I have an incredible an addition coming in next year, and we have pretty much everyone back.

The future is really bright, and I'm really excited,” added Ivey.