2014 Season Timeline

Notre Dame Women’s Basketball

2013-14 Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Timeline

  • April 15, 2013
  • August 1, 2013
  • August 11, 2013
  • August 28, 2013
  • Sept. 26, 2013
  • Oct. 1, 2013
  • Oct. 9, 2013
  • Nov. 6, 2013
  • Nov. 9, 2013
  • Nov. 11, 2013
  • Nov. 23, 2013
  • Nov. 26, 2013
  • Dec. 4, 2013
  • Dec. 14, 2013
  • Dec. 17, 2013
  • Jan. 5, 2014
  • Jan. 9, 2014
  • Jan. 12, 2014
  • Jan. 13, 2014
  • Jan. 20, 2014
  • Jan. 27, 2014
  • Feb. 2, 2014
  • Feb. 6, 2014
  • Feb. 9, 2014
  • Feb. 13, 2014
  • Feb. 17, 2014
  • Feb. 23, 2014
  • Feb. 24, 2014
  • Feb. 27, 2014
  • March 2, 2014
  • March 4, 2014
  • March 5, 2014
  • March 7, 2014
  • March 8, 2014
  • March 9, 2014
  • March 10, 2014
  • March 11, 2014
  • March 17, 2014
  • March 20, 2014
  • March 22, 2014
  • March 24, 2014
  • March 29, 2014
  • March 31, 2014
  • March 31, 2014
  • April 1, 2014
  • April 3, 2014
  • April 4, 2014
  • April 5, 2014
  • April 5, 2014
  • April 6, 2014
  • April 7, 2014
  • April 8, 2014
  • April 8, 2014
  • April 8, 2014
  • Skylar DigginsSkylar Diggins Selected With No. 3 Overall Pick In 2013 WNBA Draft

    April 15, 2013
    For the second consecutive year, the Notre Dame women’s basketball program has seen one of its players selected near the top of the first round in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Draft, as senior guard/co-captain Skylar Diggins (South Bend, Ind./Washington) was chosen by the Tulsa Shock with the third overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft that was held Monday night at the ESPN Studios in Bristol, Conn.

    At No. 3, Diggins matches former teammate Devereaux Peters (’11) as the highest-drafted Notre Dame player in program history, with Peters going third overall in last year’s WNBA Draft to the Minnesota Lynx.

    (read more)

  • Muffett McGrawNotre Dame Women’s Basketball Gearing Up For European Tour

    August 1, 2013
    On Saturday afternoon, the Notre Dame women’s basketball program — all 13 players (including its four incoming freshmen), plus the coaches and support staff (a total travel party of nearly 40 people) — will embark on a 10-day European tour from Aug. 3-13 that will take them to England and Spain and see the Fighting Irish play three games against quality European competition during that time. (read more)

  • Kayla McBrideNotre Dame Closes #EUROTRIP13 With 75-67 Win Over French All-Stars

    August 11, 2013
    One of the highlights of the Notre Dame women’s basketball team’s 2013 European tour was a visit to La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, a majestic Roman Catholic basilica that began to take shape in the latter part of the 19th century, but remains unfinished and could continue in that form until at least 2026.

    In much the same way, this year’s version of the Fighting Irish is unfinished, although they took steps in a positive direction during their 10-day trip to Europe, capped off Sunday afternoon with a wire-to-wire 75-67 victory over the French All-Stars at Polideportivo Antonio Margarinos in Madrid. (read more)

  • Muffett McGrawNotre Dame Announces 2013-14 Women’s Basketball Schedule

    August 28, 2013
    Take a look at the 2013-14 University of Notre Dame women’s basketball schedule, and one thought comes to mind — you can go home again.

    As the complete 29-game Fighting Irish regular season schedule was released Wednesday afternoon, following approval by the University’s Faculty Board on Athletics and in conjunction with the release of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular-season slate, it is clear that while the ACC might be Notre Dame’s new conference residence, home will have numerous definitions for the Fighting Irish this year. (read more)

  • Kayla McBrideMcBride, Diggins Invited To USA Basketball Women’s National Team Mini-Camp

    September 26, 2013
    Notre Dame senior All-America guard Kayla McBride (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) and former Fighting Irish All-America guard Skylar Diggins (’13) are among 33 players who have accepted invitations to participate in the USA Basketball Women’s National Team mini-camp Oct. 4-6 at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas. The camp is being used to identify players for the USA National Team pool, from which the 2014 USA World Championship Team will be chosen.

    McBride, who is one of seven collegians on the 33-player camp roster, and Diggins will be the first Notre Dame players to compete with the USA Basketball Women’s National Team since 2004, when Ruth Riley (’01) helped the Americans to a gold medal at the Athens Olympics. (read more)

  • Natalie AchonwaNotre Dame Holds First Women’s Basketball Practice Of 2013-14 Season

    October 1, 2013
    Although the calendar just flipped to October, you’ll have to excuse Notre Dame women’s basketball head coach Muffet McGraw if it felt like Christmas.

    After an early 7 a.m. (ET) wake-up call, McGraw put the Fighting Irish through their paces as the team completed its first official practice as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tuesday morning at Purcell Pavilion. (read more)

  • Main BuildingNotre Dame To Host Regional In 2014 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship

    October 9, 2013
    The University of Notre Dame has been selected as one of four host sites for regional-round games in the 2014 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship, it was announced Wednesday. Games will be played at the 9,149-seat Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on either March 29 & 31 or March 30 & April 1, with exact dates and ticket availability for those contests to be released at a later date.

    This will mark the second time in program history that Notre Dame has been chosen to host regional competition in the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. (read more)

  • Skylar DigginsWomen’s Basketball Great Skylar Diggins To Be Added To Notre Dame’s Ring Of Honor

    November 6, 2013
    Skylar Diggins, a four-time All-America guard at Notre Dame who led the Fighting Irish to three consecutive NCAA Women’s Final Fours from 2011-13, will be the latest person inducted into Notre Dame’s Ring of Honor when the South Bend native is celebrated during a pregame ceremony Nov. 16 before the Fighting Irish take on Valparaiso at 2 p.m. (ET) inside Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center.

    A banner honoring Diggins’ number 4 will be raised to the rafters at Purcell Pavilion, where it will hang permanently. Diggins will be the second Fighting Irish women’s basketball player added to Notre Dame’s Ring of Honor following Ruth Riley’s induction in 2010, and the fifth player overall, joining men’s basketball players Austin Carr, Adrian Dantley and Luke Harangody in the prestigious circle.

    (read more)

  • Jewell Loyd#6/7 Irish Roll Past UNC Wilmington In Season Opener, 99-50

    November 9, 2013
    With Skylar Diggins gone to graduation and forward Natalie Achonwa out at least a month with a torn meniscus, Notre Dame entered Saturday’s season opener with some uncertainty.

    That quickly disappeared as they jumped out to a 19-7 lead over the first seven minutes en route to a 99-50 blowout of UNC Wilmington. Notre Dame dominated the undersized Seahawks on the boards, outrebounding them 52-24 and outscoring them 58-24 in the paint and 16-0 off fastbreaks.

    Jewell Loyd and reserve Michaela Mabrey led the Irish with 19 points each, followed by 17 points from Kayla McBride, who left the game early because of the lopsided margin. (read more)

  • Taya Reimer#6/7 Irish Topple #19/18 Michigan State, 81-62

    November 11, 2013
    Taya Reimer is the first to admit she’s too nice.

    Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw recently said she would like to see a little more meanness from her team, and in particular, from Reimer. McGraw saw a glimpse of what could be for the 6-foot-3 freshman forward Monday night.

    Reimer had 19 points and 13 rebounds as No. 6 Notre Dame dominated No. 19 Michigan State on the boards in an 81-62 victory. (read more)

  • Lindsay AllenNo. 5 Notre Dame Takes Down Penn, 76-54

    November 23, 2013
    Kayla McBride scored 15 points and Taya Reimer added 14 to lead a balanced offense in No. 5 Notre Dame’s 76-54 win over Penn on Saturday.

    Penn coach Mike McLaughlin jumped at the chance last spring to bring a top team into the Palestra to face his squad.

    With Notre Dame looking to get a game in coach Muffet McGraw’s hometown, McLaughlin saw an opportunity to help his program grow. Despite a 76-54 loss to the fifth-ranked Irish on Saturday, McLaughlin was happy with his decision. (read more)

  • Natalie AchonwaNo. 5 Notre Dame Grabs 92-76 Victory Over No. 25 DePaul

    November 26, 2013
    As Natalie Achonwa put it, Tuesday was a good knee day.

    In her second game back after knee surgery in late October, Achonwa had 17 points and eight rebounds to help No. 5 Notre Dame beat No. 25 DePaul 92-76 for its second victory over a ranked opponent this season.

    After scoring only four points in 14 minutes against Penn on Saturday, Achonwa felt much more comfortable this time out. (read more)

  • Kayla McBrideAchonwa Leads No. 4 Irish Past No. 10 Penn State

    December 4, 2013
    After building a double-digit lead in the first half, Notre Dame didn’t let Penn State get close in the final 20 minutes.

    The Irish have turned one of the best rivalries in women’s basketball into a one-sided affair lately, winning five of the past six meetings.

    Natalie Achonwa had 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead the fourth-ranked Fighting Irish in a 77-67 victory over the No. 10 Lady Lions on Wednesday night in a Big Ten/ACC Challenge game.

    Jewell Loyd scored 17 points, Kayla McBride had 13 and Taya Reimer 12 for Notre Dame (7-0), which led by 14 points at halftime. Penn State got no closer than nine in the second half. (read more)

  • Natalie AchonwaNo. 4 Notre Dame Rolls Past Michigan, 86-64

    December 14, 2013
    This was the type of game Jewell Loyd was looking for after an extended break for No. 4 Notre Dame.

    Loyd scored 20 points, Natalie Achonwa had 18 points and nine rebounds and the Fighting Irish cruised to an 86-64 victory over Michigan on Saturday night.

    “I wanted to come out here and be aggressive,” Loyd said. “I haven’t been shooting the ball well at all recently, so it was good for me to come out here and get a good feel.” (read more)

  • Muffet McGrawMuffet McGraw To Be Inducted Into Indiana Basketball Hall Of Fame

    December 17, 2013
    Notre Dame head women’s basketball coach Muffet McGraw, a two-time consensus national coach of the year and winner of more than 700 games in her illustrious career, was named to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, it was announced Tuesday.

    McGraw will receive the Hall’s Silver Medal, which is presented annually in recognition of contributions to Indiana high school basketball other than as an Indiana high school player or high school coach. With the Silver Medal comes induction to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2014, marking the fifth time the Fighting Irish coach has been chosen for a prestigious hall of fame, and first since her induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.

    (read more)

  • Lindsay AllenNo. 2 Irish Top Clemson in ACC Debut, 71-51

    January 5, 2014
    When the shots weren’t falling in the first half, Jewell Loyd and No. 2 Notre Dame picked it up on the defensive end.

    Up by just four points at halftime on Clemson, the Irish used a 17-4 run out of the break to take control in their ACC debut, a 71-51 win over the Tigers on Sunday. (read more)

  • Kayla McBrideMcBride Paces No. 2 Irish To 95-53 Victory Over BC

    January 9, 2014
    Boston College had trouble slowing Kayla McBride and second-ranked Notre Dame for even brief periods, much less stopping the Fighting Irish.

    Notre Dame scored the first seven points of the game, stretched the lead to double figures in less than 10 minutes and by halftime its lead was bigger than the Eagles’ most lopsided loss of the season. The Irish continued to pull away in the second half with its bench posting 55 points in a 95-53 victory Thursday night.

    Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw was pleased with the way the Irish reserves responded after being held to four points against Clemson. (read more)

  • Natalie AchonwaAchonwa Leads No. 2 Notre Dame Past Virginia, 79-72

    January 12, 2014
    Hall of Fame coach Muffet McGraw and No. 2 Notre Dame survived their toughest test of the season to remain unbeaten. <>

    Natalie Achonwa scored a career-high 26 points and grabbed 16 rebounds and the Fighting Irish survived a late challenge to beat Virginia 79-72 on Sunday. (read more)

  • Kayla McBrideMcBride, Diggins Named To 2014-16 USA Basketball Women’s National Team Player Pool

    January 13, 2014
    Notre Dame senior All-America guard Kayla McBride (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) and former Fighting Irish All-America guard Skylar Diggins (’13) are among 33 players who have been named to the 2014-16 USA Basketball Women’s National Team pool, from which the 2014 USA World Championship Team and (if the U.S. qualifies), the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team will be selected, it was announced Monday by USA Basketball.

    McBride, who is one of six collegians in the 33-player pool, and Diggins both took part in the USA Basketball Women’s National Team mini-camp in Las Vegas Oct. 4-6, with that camp used to identify the players that will make up the National Team pool for the upcoming cycle. (read more)

  • Michaela Mabrey#2 Irish Defeat #11/10 Tennessee, 86-70

    January 20, 2014
    Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw wanted to see how her undefeated team would respond to a test.

    She got just the answer she wanted.

    Kayla McBride scored 22 points to lead five players in double figures Monday as the second-ranked Fighting Irish erased an early 12-point deficit in an 86-70 victory over No. 11/10 Tennessee. Before Monday, Notre Dame (17-0) hadn’t trailed by more than seven points all season. (read more)

  • Jewell LoydLoyd Leads #2 Notre Dame to Win Over #8/6 Maryland, 87-83

    January 27, 2014
    Notre Dame had just won a close game on the road to remain unbeaten, yet Irish coach Muffet McGraw was still disappointed. That’s because second-ranked Notre Dame lost a 22-point lead and had to scramble to salvage an 87-83 win over No. 8 Maryland on Monday night. (read more)

  • Kayla McBride#2 Irish Rout #3 Duke, 88-67

    February 2, 2014
    Notre Dame has made itself right at home – both in the ACC and especially at hostile Cameron Indoor Stadium.

    The second-ranked Fighting Irish turned the realigned league’s game of the year into yet another blowout, routing third-ranked Duke 88-67 on Sunday while giving the Blue Devils their first ACC loss at home since 2008. (read more)

  • Natalie Achonwa#2 Irish Cruise Past Florida State, 81-60

    February 6, 2014
    Natalie Achonwa scored 24 points and Jewell Loyd added 18 to lead No. 2 Notre Dame to an 81-60 victory over Florida State on Thursday night that kept the Fighting Irish unbeaten.

    Kayla McBride chipped in 14 points for Notre Dame (22-0, 9-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). (read more)

  • Kayla McBrideLoyd Scores 23 As #2 Irish Top Syracuse 101-64

    February 9, 2014
    Syracuse coach Quentin Hillsman said the biggest surprise about No. 2 Notre Dame this season is that the team is better without Skylar Diggins.

    Hillsman said coaches around the country expected a bit of a drop off for the Fighting Irish when Diggins graduated after leading the Irish to three straight Final Fours, including two title games.

    “I guess that theory is out the window,” he said. “No drop off.” (read more)

  • Kayla McBrideNo. 2 Notre Dame Defeats Boston College, 82-61

    February 13, 2014
    Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw really wasn’t surprised her team was a bit sluggish after beating Boston College so easily last month.

    Kayla McBride scored 19 points, Jewell Loyd 18 and second-ranked Notre Dame coasted to an 82-61 win over the Eagles Thursday night, giving the Fighting Irish their best start in school history.

    “It really is,” she said when asked if it’s hard facing a team you’ve dominated. “No matter how many times you tell yourself, `we’ve got to be ready and play hard,’ you just don’t have the same feel to it.” (read more)

  • Muffet McGrawLoyd’s 27 Leads #2 Irish Over Georgia Tech

    February 17, 2014
    Georgia Tech couldn’t keep Jewell Loyd from driving inside. Sometimes the Notre Dame sophomore got behind the defenders, and other times she drove past them for layups.

    She finished with 27 points and nine rebounds to lead the second-ranked Fighting Irish to an 87-72 victory over Georgia Tech on Monday night in a game in which Notre Dame’s upper classmen struggled after being honored on senior night.

    “I think next year we’re going to have senior night the first day of classes, Aug. 27,” Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw said. “I feel like every year it’s the same thing with the emotion of the moment.” (read more)

  • Kayla McBrideMcBride Leads #2 Irish To 81-70 Win Over #7 Duke

    February 23, 2014
    Kayla McBride got No. 2 Notre Dame going early by hitting her first four shots and stopped seventh-ranked Duke’s rally late by hitting back-to-back baskets.

    In between, McBride did a lot of little things right, such as grabbing seven rebounds, handing out four assists and jumping out of the way when Haley Peters, trapped in the corner, tried to get out of trouble by bouncing the ball off of McBride out of bounds, forcing another Duke turnover. (read more)

  • Lindsay AllenLindsay Allen Named Candidate For Nancy Lieberman Award

    February 24, 2014
    Notre Dame freshman guard Lindsay Allen (Mitchellville, Md./St. John’s College High School) has been named a candidate for the 2014 Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation’s top point guard, it was announced Monday by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

    Allen is one of just two freshmen (along with Northwestern’s Ashley Deary), and one of two Atlantic Coast Conference players (joining Florida State’s Yashira Delgado) on the Lieberman Award’s 22-player final candidate list. The award’s original watch list was pared down to its final roster of 22 players by a nationally-based committee. (read more)

  • Kayla McBride#2 Irish Defeat #14/11 North Carolina, 100-75

    February 27, 2014
    Notre Dame seniors Kayla McBride and Natalie Achonwa gave the younger North Carolina squad a lesson on how dangerous the Princeton offense can be.

    The second-ranked Fighting Irish continually beat the Tar Heels with back-door plays, shooting 61 percent in the first half and 51 percent for the game en route to a 100-75 victory Thursday night to finish the regular season unbeaten at home.

    Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw said the Irish thought the backdoor would be successful against the Tar Heels because they tend to overplay the ball. (read more)

  • Jewell Loyd#2 Irish Top #13/17 N.C. State, 84-60, To Cap Unbeaten Regular Season

    March 2, 2014
    Notre Dame’s first run through the Atlantic Coast Conference couldn’t have gone any better.

    Natalie Achonwa scored 19 points and Jewell Loyd added 18 points for the Irish (29-0, 16-0).

    They shot 56 percent and led by 30 after an overwhelming second-half run helped them cap the first undefeated regular season for an ACC school since the 2006-07 Duke team. (read more)

  • Kayla McBrideThree Irish Women’s Basketball Players Earn All-ACC Honors

    March 4, 2014
    After earning its third consecutive outright regular season conference title (and first as member of the Atlantic Coast Conference), the No. 2 Notre Dame women’s basketball team was recognized for its efforts with numerous individual honors on Tuesday, as the ACC office announced this year’s all-conference and all-freshman teams. (read more)

  • Muffet McGrawMuffet McGraw Named ACC Coach Of The Year

    March 5, 2014
    A day after three of her players earned all-conference honors, Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw received her own award from the Atlantic Coast Conference when she was selected as the 2014 ACC Coach of the Year, the league office announced Wednesday.

    This marks the second consecutive season, and the sixth time in McGraw’s career that she has been named a conference coach of the year, covering five different leagues. She previously was honored in 1983 (East Coast Conference, while coaching at Lehigh University), as well as five times during her 27-year career at Notre Dame — 1988 (North Star Conference), 1991 (Midwestern Collegiate Conference/Horizon League), 2001 and 2013 (BIG EAST), and 2014 (ACC). (read more)

  • Jewell Loyd#2 Irish Top Florida State, 83-57, In ACC Quarterfinals

    March 7, 2014
    Notre Dame made its Atlantic Coast Conference tournament debut look a lot like nearly every other game it played in the league this season.

    Jewell Loyd scored 17 points to lead the No. 2 Fighting Irish past Florida State 83-57 in the quarterfinals Friday, keeping them unbeaten with yet another lopsided win in their new league.

    Notre Dame (30-0) ran off 21 straight points in the first half, led by 22 at halftime and never let the Seminoles flirt with any sort of a comeback. (read more)

  • Jewell Loyd#2 Irish Breeze Past #14/17 NC State In ACC Semifinals, 83-48

    March 8, 2014
    North Carolina State’s offense had run through Markeisha Gatling inside all season. It’s no surprise then that the No. 14 Wolfpack would struggle without her.

    The 6-foot-5 senior didn’t play in Saturday’s 83-48 loss to No. 2 Notre Dame in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament semifinals due to a knee injury suffered in Friday’s quarterfinal win against Syracuse. Without her, N.C. State lacked its most efficient offensive player who was a reliable scorer and rebounder in the post. (read more)

  • Jewell Loyd#2 Irish Down #10 Duke, 69-53, For ACC Title

    March 9, 2014
    Notre Dame’s Jewell Loyd pulled an Atlantic Coast Conference championship cap over her head.

    It fit just as well as that old BIG EAST gear did.

    Make it two tournament titles in two leagues and two years for the second-ranked Fighting Irish, who capped their perfect first run through the ACC by beating No. 10 Duke 69-53 in the final Sunday night. (read more)

  • Jewell LoydIrish Trio Earns All-ACC Coaches Honors

    March 10, 2014
    One day after completing an undefeated 19-0 run through its inaugural season in the Atlantic Coast Conference with the program’s (and school’s) first ACC Championship, the No. 2 Notre Dame women’s basketball team picked up more hardware, as three of its players earned All-ACC honors from the league’s 15 head coaches, it was announced Monday by the conference office.

    Fresh off her selection as the ACC Championship Most Valuable Player, sophomore guard Jewell Loyd (Lincolnwood, Ill./Niles West) was a double honoree on Monday, earning first-team All-ACC recognition as well as a spot on the five-player All-ACC Defensive Team. (read more)

  • Kayla McBrideACC Coaches Name McBride Player Of Year, McGraw Coach Of Year

    March 11, 2014
    As the Atlantic Coast Conference women’s basketball season comes to a close, ACC champion Notre Dame continues to add awards to its trophy case, with the Fighting Irish picking up two major honors on Tuesday when senior guard/tri-captain Kayla McBride (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) was named the ACC Player of the Year and head coach Muffet McGraw was chosen as the ACC Coach of the Year, according to a vote of the league’s 15 head coaches announced Tuesday by the conference office. (read more)

  • Group ShotNotre Dame Earns 19th Consecutive NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship Berth

    March 17, 2014
    For the 19th consecutive season, and the 21st time in school history, Notre Dame has earned a berth in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship, having received the Atlantic Coast Conference’s automatic berth into this year’s field by winning its first ACC Championship title last week. The Fighting Irish are the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Championship’s Notre Dame Region — the third consecutive year and fourth time in program history they have earned a top seed — and will play 16th-seeded Robert Morris (the Northeast Conference champion) at 1:30 p.m. (ET) Saturday at Savage Arena in Toledo, Ohio. (read more)

  • Cable and WrightMcGraw: Irish Bench Is the Difference This Year

    March 20, 2014
    Life after Diggins has worked out just fine so far at Notre Dame.

    While many wondered in the fall how Notre Dame would adjust to life without Skylar Diggins, the heart of the team the previous four years, guard Kayla McBride knew how good the Fighting Irish could be after the season’s first practice. (read more)

  • Jewell Loyd#2 Irish Rout Robert Morris, 93-42 In NCAA Opener

    March 22, 2014
    Every now and then, Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw will let her team practice without any fouls being called.

    “We want to make them tougher. We don’t want them listening to the whistle, we don’t want them complaining to the referees,” McGraw said. “We do that pretty frequently.” (read more)

  • Natalie Achonwa#2 Irish Sweet 16 Bound After Win Over Arizona State, 84-67

    March 24, 2014
    After a first half that fell short of Notre Dame’s lofty standards, coach Muffet McGraw told her team to settle down.

    “We talked about trying to be a little more in control, and gave them a little different offense to run – that we thought might help that,” McGraw said. “In transition, we kept going through the middle of the floor where all the traffic was. We were just careless.” (read more)

  • Jewell Loyd#2 Irish Advance To Elite Eight, Topple #21/18 Oklahoma State, 89-72

    March 29, 2014
    Natalie Achonwa gave the home fans plenty to cheer about.

    The senior forward helped Notre Dame race out to a 14-0 lead and cruise to an easy win, ending Oklahoma State’s hopes of winning its first NCAA tournament regional semifinal game. (read more)

  • Kayla McBrideMcBride, Loyd Earn USBWA All-America Honors

    March 31, 2014
    For the first time in school history, two Notre Dame women’s basketball players have been named to the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-America Team, as senior guard/tri-captain Kayla McBride (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) and sophomore guard Jewell Loyd (Lincolnwood, Ill./Niles West) were voted to the 10-player squad, it was announced Monday by the USBWA. (read more)

  • Jewell Loyd#2 Irish Return to Final Four With 88-69 Win Over #5/6 Baylor

    March 31, 2014
    An unprecedented season for Notre Dame and coach Muffet McGraw has led the Fighting Irish to a familiar place.

    Jewell Loyd scored 30 points and the unbeaten Irish beat Baylor 88-69 on Monday night to earn their fourth straight trip to the Final Four. Jewell Loyd, what a phenomenal game.” (read more)

  • Natalie AchonwaNatalie Achonwa Sidelined With Knee Injury

    April 1, 2014
    Notre Dame senior forward/tri-captain Natalie Achonwa (Guelph, Ontario/St. Mary’s Catholic) will miss the remainder of the 2013-14 women’s basketball season after injuring her left knee Monday night in the second half of Notre Dame’s 88-69 win over No. 5/6 Baylor in the NCAA Notre Dame Regional final (Elite Eight) at Purcell Pavilion. (read more)

  • Taya ReimerReimer Embracing Her Big Chance

    April 3, 2014
    Notre Dame forward Taya Reimer appears to be embracing coach Muffet McGraw’s message about the loss of third-team All-American Natalie Achonwa to a knee injury.

    It’s a big loss. But it’s a big opportunity, too.

    “This is something I’ve been looking forward to my whole life,” Reimer said Thursday as the team prepared to leave for Nashville, Tenn., for the Final Four. “I’m really excited for the opportunity. Our goals are still the same; we still want to win a national championship. So that’s what we’re going to try to do.” (read more)

  • Jewell LoydNotre Dame Began to Believe During Two-Week Stretch

    April 4, 2014
    Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw remembers sitting down back in October and looking over her team’s schedule and noticing a particularly daunting two-week span where her squad would play at Tennessee, at Maryland and at Duke.

    “I thought, ‘That’s going to determine our season, right there,’ in terms of how far can we go, how good can we be?” McGraw said. “I think when we won those three games, that’s when we started to think, ‘You know, I think we can be pretty good.” (read more)

  • Jewell Loyd & Kayla McBrideMcBride, Loyd Chosen For 2014 WBCA Coaches’ All-America Team

    April 5, 2014
    For the second consecutive season, Notre Dame has placed two players on the prestigious Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Coaches’ All-America Team, it was announced Saturday afternoon at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

    Senior guard/tri-captain Kayla McBride (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) earned a spot on the elite 10-player team for the second year in a row, while sophomore guard Jewell Loyd (Lincolnwood, Ill./Niles West) was chosen for the first time in her career. McBride becomes the second player in program history to be selected multiple times for the WBCA Coaches’ All-America Team along with three-time recipient Skylar Diggins (2011-13), while Loyd joins Diggins, McBride, Ruth Riley (2001) and Jacqueline Batteast (2005) as Notre Dame cagers who have received the accolade. (read more)

  • Muffet McGrawMuffet McGraw Repeats As AP National Coach Of The Year

    April 5, 2014
    Before a standing room-only crowd that included her players, coaching staff and numerous supporters, Notre Dame women’s basketball head coach Muffet McGraw once again has been honored for her team’s success, earning the Associated Press National Coach of the Year award for the second consecutive season and third time overall, it was announced Saturday afternoon at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

    McGraw is just the second coach in NCAA Division I history to earn the AP’s top coaching award three times in her career, as well as the second to do so in consecutive seasons (Connecticut’s Geno Auriemma is a seven-time recipient, including back-to-back honors in 2008 and 2009). No other coach has received the AP National Coach of the Year award more than once since its inception in 1995. (read more)

  • Kayla McBride#2 Irish Cruise Past #11/9 Maryland 87-61, Advance to Championship Round

    April 6, 2014
    Kayla McBride seemingly did whatever she wanted, and enjoyed herself while she did it.

    The All-American senior guard shed defenders with behind-the-back dribbles and quick cross-overs before scoring. She set the tone, refusing to let for Notre Dame’s pursuit of a perfect season end and her Irish teammates followed her lead into Tuesday night’s championship game.

    In one of the most impressive games of her career, McBride scored 28 points to lead Notre Dame to an 87-61 win over Maryland Sunday night. (read more)

  • Muffet McGrawMuffet McGraw Sweeps National Coach Of The Year Honors

    April 7, 2014
    In a little less than a week’s time, Notre Dame women’s basketball head coach Muffet McGraw has made a clean sweep of the nation’s top coaching awards for the second consecutive season, picking up two more major honors on Monday when she was selected as this year’s recipient of the Pat Summitt Trophy (presented by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association) and the Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year award, as chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club and its National Voting Academy. (read more)

  • Jewell LoydUnbeatens Notre Dame, UConn Set for Historic Title Game

    April 8, 2014
    Women’s basketball came away a winner Sunday night. After a season-long buildup, the NCAA tournament will be decided by the perfect championship game.

    Muffet McGraw and Geno Auriemma were well aware of the talk. There has been a buzz throughout women’s basketball all season about the potential showdown between their undefeated teams.

    Well, the wait is over. (read more)

  • Kayla McBrideMcBride Has Final Chance at Missed Title

    April 8, 2014
    Notre Dame All-American Kayla McBride and the Irish have come full circle.

    As a freshman, she was sidelined by academic issues and watched from the bench while the Irish lost in the national championship to Texas A&M in 2011.

    Now Notre Dame is back in the title game looking for its first championship since 2001, and this time McBride will not be a spectator. The senior will try to help Notre Dame cap an undefeated season with a win against their old BIG EAST nemesis, Connecticut. (read more)

  • Lindsay Allen#2 Irish Fall In NCAA National Championship Game, 79-58 To #1 Connecticut

    April 8, 2014
    Notre Dame and coach Muffet McGraw have had more success against Connecticut than any other women’s basketball program since 2000-01.

    The Irish, the nation’s best shooting team, struggled to put the ball in the basketball Tuesday night. With their shooting woes, they couldn’t keep up with Connecticut in the first NCAA championship matchup of undefeated teams and lost to the rival Huskies 79-58. (read more)