Senior forward Kody Burke stands with her teammates during the playing of the alma mater after the senior day game between No. 13 N.C. State and No. 2 Notre Dame in Reynolds Coliseum Sunday. The Wolfpack fell to the Fighting Irish, 84-60. " />
John Joyner, Technician
Senior forward Kody Burke stands with her teammates during the playing of the alma mater after the senior day game between No. 13 N.C. State and No. 2 Notre Dame in Reynolds Coliseum Sunday. The Wolfpack fell to the Fighting Irish, 84-60.
Two top ACC teams took the court in Reynolds Coliseum on Sunday, as No. 13 N.C. State took on No. 2 Notre Dame. After the dust cleared, Fighting Irish (29-0 overall, 16-0 ACC) finished the day on top, defeating the Wolfpack (24-6 overall, 11-5 ACC) by a score of 84-60.
Sunday was senior day for the Pack, and the women’s basketball team looked to send its seniors off on a good note and improve on its two-game win streak. Defeating Notre Dame, however, would be no small task for State, as the Irish came into the game undefeated and looked to end the regular season without a loss.
“There is really no weakness [to Notre Dame],” State head coach Wes Moore said. “All five of their players are scoring threats.”
Prior to the start of the game, a banner celebrating the program’s 800th win was hung in the rafters at Reynolds Coliseum.
The Pack came out guns blazing, pushing the tempo and playing hounding defense every trip down the court. While the shots were tough at times, the Pack continued to work for high percentage shots, keeping the game close throughout the first half.
“We were executing our plays,” senior center Markeisha Gatling said. “We were working to get great looks.”
The Irish’s continued mix of zone and man defenses challenged State, but the grit and determination of the Pack allowed them to score some unattractive, yet timely baskets to keep them right in the thick of things.
Notre Dame’s shooting woes seemed to be well behind them as the first half neared its end. The Irish were firing on all cylinders and getting easy baskets around the rim. When the two teams entered the locker room at halftime, Notre Dame was in control, and the score stood at 36-28.
“They were able to find open areas and cut back door and use the lob,” senior forward Kody Burke said. “It worked well for them.”
The second half was started by a 17-0 run by Notre Dame, who came out looking to put the game away early. The Pack franticly moved the ball around looking for open shots, but the Irish’s defense forced N.C. State to throw up prayers late in the shot clock.
“In the second half, I would say our defense wasn’t effective as it was in the first half,” Burke said. “They were a really smart team, and they really challenged our defense.”
As the second half continued, Notre Dame justified its No. 2 national ranking with substantial play on both ends of the court. The Irish were led by sophomore guard Jewell Loyd, who scored 18 points on seven-for-10 shooting from the floor, and senior forward Natlie Achonwa, who had 19 points on eight-for-nine shooting. The duo propelled the Fighting Irish to an early lead in the second half, and one that the Pack never regained.
“You have to give Notre Dame credit,” Moore said. “They are well coached, play hard and, man, can they shoot the ball.”
Despite State’s second half woes, Gatling proved to be a force for the Pack, tallying a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Burke also came up big for her team, scoring 15 points on six-for-12 shooting. Both said they were proud of the team in their final game at Reynolds and were quick to give them credit for their success on the court.
“This team is my role model,” Burke said. “This is a special team. A lot of blood, sweat and tears have been put in this gym.”
Notre Dame continued to apply the pressure late in the game, erasing all hopes of a State comeback. With under a minute left, Burke, Gatling and senior guard Breezy Williams were subbed out to a standing ovation from the crowd at Reynolds.