Kent State basketball vs. Notre Dame score, highlights: Irish win 2024 March Madness game
In the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 22 years, a tough test awaited the Kent State women’s basketball team. The No. 15 seed Golden Flashes played at No. 2 Notre Dame on Saturday afternoon in the first round of March Madness. The Golden Flashes battled to overcome a tough stretch early on to hang with the ACC champs, but the Irish won 81-67. This is how the game unfolded through our live score updates during the game.
The streak of a 15 seed in the women’s tournament never beating a No. 2 seed continues, as did the Irish's first-round success, as they've won 13 straight first-round games since a 2009 loss to Minnesota. This Notre Dame team also won its ninth straight with the win over KSU, beating five ranked teams in that stretch.
Kent State battles to finish: Notre Dame women's basketball beats Kent State in March Madness, advances in NCAA Tournament
Kent State vs. Notre Dame live score updates in NCAA first round
4:10 p.m.: Notre Dame wraps up 81-67 victory over pesky Kent State
With the starters out of the game and the benches cleared, Notre Dame puts the finishing touches on an 81-67 first-round victory. The Irish advance to the second round to play Ole Miss, which defeated Marquette in Saturday's second game.
4:07 p.m.: Kent State back within 14 on basket by Jenna Batsch
After Notre Dame went up by 20 points, Jenna Batch capped a quick Kent State rally with a basket to make it 79-65 with 2:01 to play.
4:00 p.m.: Dionna Gray's 3-pointer pulls Kent State with 12 points at 67-55
A 3-pointer by Dionna Gray pulled Kent State within 67-55 and forced a Notre Dame timeout with 5:33 to play, but the Irish's Sonia Citron answered with a 3 of her own to put ND back up by 15 (70-55).
3:45 p.m.: KSU ends third quarter with six straight to get within 59-46
The Golden Flashes keep hanging around, including another impressive finish by Janae Tyler, a runner by Abby Cole (who has also been great on the defensive end) and two free throws by Dionna Gray with under a second remaining.
3:33 p.m.: Kent State's Jenna Batsch with another key 3
After three straight Fighting Irish baskets off Golden Flashes turnovers to build their lead to 21, Jenna Batsch responded with a key 3 for KSU.
Six points and 2 of 3 from deep might not sound like much but both of Batsch's 3-pointers were key to end big runs by Notre Dame.
3:20 p.m.: A deeper dive into the Fighting Irish's success
Notre Dame, obviously, had a terrific first half offensively. What's to complain about when you're shooting 55 percent from the field and making two-thirds of your 3-pointers?
Obviously, Hannah Hidalgo is a big-time superstar. But give credit to Sonia Citron (16 points, 7 of 9 from the field) and Anna DeWolfe (10 points, 4 of 5) as well.
3:07 p.m.: Notre Dame leads 49-30 at the half
The Fighting Irish are up big largely due to their advantage on 3-pointers. They've hit 6 of 9 from deep. That's hard to overcome especially when the Golden Flashes have hit just 1 of 9. Same number of attempts. A 15-point difference.
That said, Katie Shumate with a beautiful transition pull-up from the elbow to get the Flashes within 19 in the final minute. She leads KSU with 12 points at the half. She also has five boards.
And as previously mentioned, Golden Flashes freshman Janae Tyler is having herself a game with 11 points on 5 of 6 from the field.
2:57 p.m.: Janae Tyler shining for KSU
With a 9-1 run in the opening 1:57 of the second stanza, Notre Dame opened its lead to 20.
That said, wow, do the Golden Flashes have a post in Janae Tyler.
No fear from the freshman post who is 4 of 5 from the field for eight points, including going hard into a taller defender for a layup. She'll shoot a free throw after the break.
2:42 p.m.: Golden Flashes big response to end the quarter
What a big response from KSU as Dionna Gray found Jenna Batsch and the junior drained a 3-pointer from the top of the arc to end the scoreless streak for the Flashes.
Then, credit to freshman Janae Tyler with a really crafty spin move for a lefty layup as KSU ended the first quarter on a 5-0 run.
2:38 p.m.: Fighting Irish have now scored 18 straight
The Golden Flashes are in a serious scoring slump. They haven't scored in roughly six minutes. That's dangerous territory against a Fighting Irish team that got off to a rough start from the field but is heating up, including a Sonia Citron 3-pointer just before the close-out.
KSU is honestly getting some solid looks from deep. The Flashes just aren't hitting.
2:28 p.m.: Fighting Irish take the lead with a 5-0 run
The Golden Flashes got off to a strong start, taking leads of 4-2 and 5-4, but the Fighting Irish with five straight, all from Anna DeWolfe. The first was a 3-pointer off a beautiful cross-court pass from Sonia Citron. The latter was an open elbow jumper from DeWolfe.
Still, KSU coach Todd Starkey has to love the way his team is driving fearlessly to the bucket.
2:15 p.m.: Let's meet today's Kent State-Notre Dame starters
Starting for 21-10 Kent State Golden Flashes: G Katie Shumate, G Dionna Gray, F Jenna Batsch, F Bridget Dunn and F Mikayla Morris. Shumate is averaging an impressive 15.0 points and 7.6 rebounds and has scored 1,837 career points to rank fourth all-time at Kent State. She is the program’s first four-time All-MAC selection. Batsch chimes in at 13.4 points.
Starting for 26-6 Notre Dame: G Hannah Hidalgo, G Sonia Citron, G Anna DeWolfe, F Natalija Marshall and F Maddy Westbeld. Westbeld is from Kettering and is averaging 14.2 points and 9.0 rebounds. Hidalgo leads the Fighting Irish at 23.3 points and 5.5 assists. Citron is at 16.6 points and 5.2 boards.
1:45 p.m.: The arena is filling up with 30 minutes until tip
Plenty of green in the stands, which are filling up quickly here at the Joyce Center.
Some blue behind me as well.
It should be an outstanding environment this afternoon!
What's next for the Notre Dame-Kent State winner?
The Kent State-Notre Dame winner advances to play the Ole Miss-Marquette winner in the second round.
What channel is Kent State vs. Notre Dame on today? How to watch, stream live
Kent State vs. Notre Dame start time, TV info, location
Start time: 2:15 p.m. ET
TV info: ESPN (Sam Gore and Tamika Catchings)
Location: Purcell Pavilion, South Bend, Indiana.
Kent State vs. Notre Dame preview
KENT STATE (21-10): After a 4-4 finish to the regular season, the Golden Flashes got rolling in the MAC Tournament with three wins in four days behind tournament MVP Katie Shumate. The 6-foot senior guard leads KSU in scoring (15.0), rebounding (7.6) and steals (1.4). Junior forward Jenna Batsch averages 13.4 points and is a 38% 3-point shooter. Other contributors: Janae Tyler (9.4 ppg), Mikala Morris (8.4 ppg), Bridget Dunn (7.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg) and Dionna Gray (7.0 ppg, 4.1 apg last 11 games). .
NOTRE DAME (26-6): Freshman point guard Hannah Hidalgo enters today averaging 23.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 4.6 steals. She ranks third in the nation in scoring and leads the nation in steals. The Irish won the ACC Tournament, which featured five ranked teams. Sonia Citron is the team’s second-leading scorer (16.6).
Kent State vs. Notre Dame, betting line, spread
Odds according to BetMGM
Spread: Kent State +29.5
Over/under: 139.5
Kent State vs. Notre Dame prediction, game picks
Notre Dame 75, Kent State 60: The Irish are 24-4 all-time in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, last losing in the first round in 2009 when they were a No. 7 seed. The previous 12 times they were a No. 1 or 2 seed, they won both of their games in the opening two rounds. Despite its recent run, it's hard to imagine Kent State snapping that Irish streak against a Notre Dame team with legitimate aspirations of reaching the Final Four in Cleveland. Click here for more on the matchup.
Kent State vs. Notre Dame injury updates
KENT STATE: Sophomore point guard Corynne Hauser, who led the team in assists (4.2) was lost for the season after a knee injury Feb. 7.
NOTRE DAME: Lost starting center Kylee Watson to an injury for the rest of the season in last week’s ACC Tournament.
Kent State vs. Notre Dame stats
KENT STATE
PPG: 71.9
PPG allowed: 62.2
FG% 42.6
3PT%: 31.8
NET ranking: 113
NOTRE DAME
PPG: 79.2
PPG allowed: 60.8
FG% 45.6
3PT%: 35.0
NET ranking: 7
Kent State vs. Notre Damechampionship odds
Odds according to BetMGM:
KENT STATE: +50000
NOTRE DAME: +5000
Kent State women's basketball schedule 2023-24
The past five games of Kent State's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here
March 6 | Loss vs. Ball State 75-71 |
March 9 | Loss at Toledo 83-61 |
March 13 | Win vs. Northern Illinois 63-60 (MAC Tournament) |
March 15 | Win vs. Ball State 65-50 (MAC Tournament) |
March 16 | Win vs. Buffalo 78-60 (MAC Tournament) |
Date | Kent State vs. Notre Dame (NCAA Tournament) |
Notre Dame women's basketball schedule 2023-24
The past five games of Notre Dames's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here
Feb. 29 | Win vs. Virginia Tech 71-58 |
March 3 | Win vs. Louisville 74-58 |
March 8 | Win vs. Louisville 77-68 (ACC Tournament) |
March 9 | Win vs. Virginia Tech 82-53 (ACC Tournament) |
March 10 | Win vs. North Carolina State 55-51 (ACC Tournament) |
March 23 | Notre Dame vs. Kent State (NCAA Tournament) |
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Kent State vs Notre Dame live score, updates 2024 NCAA Tournament
