Westbeld and Marshall each score 15 as No. 18 Notre Dame tops No. 20 Lady Vols in ACC/SEC Challenge.

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No. 20 UT falls to No. 18 Notre Dame in fourth quarter

Despite holding on to the lead for nearly the entire game, the Lady Vols suffer a 74-69 loss due to a flurry of Fighting Irish free throws in the final moments.

Nov 30, 2023, 12:32 am

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- — Maddy Westbeld had 15 points and 11 rebounds, Natalija Marshall added 15 points and nine rebounds, and No. 18 Notre Dame rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat No. 20 Tennessee 74-69 on Wednesday night in the ACC/SEC Challenge.

Notre Dame trailed 45-29 with 7:03 remaining in the third quarter. The Irish went on a 15-3 run to get within 50-48 before Tennessee guard Jasmine Powell closed the frame by completing a three-point play with 1.7 seconds left for a five-point lead entering the fourth.

Anna DeWolfe scored with 4:25 remaining in the fourth to give Notre Dame its first lead, 62-61, since it was 9-8 midway through the first frame. KK Bransford spun into the lane and sank a shot with 47.7 seconds left to give Notre Dame the lead for good.

Westbeld made two free throws with 10.8 left before grabbing a defensive rebound at the other end. She added another free throws and freshman Hannah Hidalgo made a steal at the buzzer.

Hidalgo scored 13 points, Bransford had 12 and DeWolfe 11 for Notre Dame (6-1). Hidalgo had five assists of her seven assists in the third quarter to help Notre Dame outscore Tennessee 23-16.

The Irish shot 43% from the field despite going 0 for 9 from distance.

Powell finished with 14 points for Tennessee (4-3). Destinee Wells added 13 points, Jewel Spear had 11 and Karoline Striplin 10. Rickea Jackson did not play.

Tennessee led 37-25 at halftime after holding Notre Dame to 27% shooting.

UP NEXT

Notre Dame has a week off before hosting Lafayette on Dec. 6.

Tennessee plays its fourth consecutive game against a ranked opponent, and fifth overall this season, on Sunday against No. 16 Ohio State. The Lady Vols lost 71-57 to No. 21 Indiana last week followed by a 76-73 victory over No. 22 Oklahoma.

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