Ole Miss falls to Notre Dame in second round of NCAA women’s tournament
Credit Ole Miss Athletics
Meeting one of the nation’s hottest teams, No. 7 Ole Miss could not surpass No. 2 Notre Dame on its home court in the Second Round of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, falling 71-56.
Ole Miss (24-9, 12-4 SEC) found itself facing an early deficit and could not piece together a comeback despite out-rebounding Notre Dame (28-6, 13-5 ACC) as the Irish shot at a 50% clip. Madison Scott and Kennedy Todd-Williams led the Rebels with 15 points each, with Scott scoring in double-figures for the 12th game in a row and Todd-Williams for the 10th.
After scoring on the opening possession, Ole Miss struggled to make it past Notre Dame’s defense as the Irish took off on an 8-0 run to grab an early hold. Early foul trouble plagued the Rebels, as the Irish made their way to the free-throw line to grow their lead. The first made three of the day from Ole Miss by Todd-Williams closed the Irish advantage to two possessions, until Notre Dame wrapped the quarter on a 6-0 run to remain ahead at 21-9.
The Rebels worked to cut the deficit with the assistance of the three-ball from Elauna Eaton, yet were quickly slowed down with a multi-minute scoring drought. Jumpers from Marquesha Davis and Todd-Williams got Ole Miss going again, yet Notre Dame continued to remain strong by scoring in the paint. Despite the Rebels scoring five points in the final minute of the half, Notre Dame remained ahead 43-26.
The shots kept falling for Notre Dame, extending its lead by as many as 24 in the third quarter. The Rebel defense slowed the Irish down, forcing three turnovers in a quick two-minute span while Ole Miss took off on a 8-0 run. Notre Dame remained hot from the field, to lead 61-42 through three.
Chipping away at the Irish lead, the Rebels brought the game within 14 with over seven minutes remaining. Despite holding Notre Dame scoreless for a three-minute span, Ole Miss could not piece together enough scoring runs to attempt a comeback over the Irish, falling 71-56.
Ole Miss wraps up its third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament and the 2023-24 campaign at 24-9.
