Notre Dame’s journey to the Final Four came to an abrupt halt on Saturday as the No. 3 seed Irish (28-6) were knocked out of the NCAA Tournament by No. 2 seed TCU (34-3) in a 71-62 defeat. Despite a valiant effort, the Irish’s shooting woes were too much to overcome, as they struggled to find their rhythm against a well-rounded TCU team that showcased impressive offensive firepower and clinical precision.
From the get-go, the Irish couldn’t find their range. Notre Dame shot just 32% from the field, 20% from beyond the arc, and 75% from the free-throw line—figures that were far below their usual standards. In stark contrast, TCU was firing on all cylinders, shooting 50% from the floor, 42% from three, and a perfect 92% from the free-throw line, ultimately sealing the Irish’s fate.
The loss was especially painful for Liatu King, who played her final game for Notre Dame and led the team with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Fellow senior Maddy Westbeld, Sonia Citron, and Liza Karlen also played their final collegiate game, leaving the court with heavy hearts after a season that showed so much promise. Freshman star Hannah Hidalgo added 15 points and four steals, but even her electrifying performance couldn’t spark the team to a comeback.
Notre Dame’s inability to slow down TCU’s Hailey Van Lith (26 points) and Sedona Prince (21 points) proved to be a deciding factor, as both players seemed to have their way offensively throughout the game. TCU’s sharp shooting and dominance on the boards, where they outrebounded Notre Dame 38-32, put the Irish on the back foot for much of the second half.
While the season ended in disappointment, there were bright spots to be remembered. Olivia Miles, who contributed 10 points—including two key three-pointers—still hasn’t decided whether she will return for another season, leaving fans wondering about the future of the team. For now, though, the Irish will have to reflect on a hard-fought season that fell just short of their ultimate goal.
