The Virginia Tech Hokies and Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball teams recently played a game that left fans on the edge of their seats. The game, held at Notre Dame's Joyce Center in South Bend, Indiana, was a thrilling matchup between two powerful teams. In this article, we will break down the game and discuss the highlights and lowlights of this exciting game.
Game Overview
Both teams had a lot on the line during this game. Virginia Tech was looking for their first-ever win against Notre Dame, while the Fighting Irish were looking to bounce back after a tough loss against the University of Connecticut. The Hokies entered this game with an overall record of 10-5, while Notre Dame was 8-8 overall.
First Quarter
The game got off to a fast start, with both teams trading baskets in the first few minutes. Virginia Tech's Aisha Sheppard was hot from the start, hitting several threes and giving her team an early lead. However, Notre Dame's Sam Brunelle quickly responded with several jumpers of her own, and the score was tied at 14-14 at the end of the first quarter.
Second Quarter
The second quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams playing great defense and making it difficult for their opponents to score. Virginia Tech's Dara Mabrey started to heat up in the second quarter, hitting several threes to give her team a slight lead. However, Notre Dame's Anaya Peoples was able to convert several baskets in the paint, and the score was tied at 31-31 at halftime.
Third Quarter
The third quarter was all Notre Dame, as the Fighting Irish came out firing and took control of the game. Notre Dame's Katlyn Gilbert hit several jumpers and her teammate, Destiny Walker, was dominant on the boards. Virginia Tech struggled to keep up with Notre Dame's fast-paced offense, and the Irish took a 14-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Despite being down by double digits, Virginia Tech did not give up. The Hokies fought hard in the fourth quarter and were able to cut Notre Dame's lead to just four points with less than two minutes left in the game. However, Notre Dame was able to hit several clutch free throws in the final minutes to secure the victory, with a final score of 65-60.
Player Performances
Aisha Sheppard was the star for Virginia Tech, scoring 20 points and hitting several clutch threes to keep her team in the game. Dara Mabrey also played well, finishing with 14 points and several key steals.For Notre Dame, Katlyn Gilbert led the way with 22 points, including several crucial jumpers in the third quarter. Anaya Peoples had a double-double, finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Destiny Walker finished with 10 points and 7 rebounds.
Conclusion
Overall, the game between Virginia Tech and Notre Dame was a thrilling matchup between two talented teams. While Notre Dame was ultimately able to secure the victory, both teams put up a great fight, and the game was a testament to the skill and determination of women's basketball players. It will be exciting to see how both teams continue to perform for the rest of the season.
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