(Photo Courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics)

It’s March and the Irish women’s basketball team is back on track, capturing a share of the ACC regular season title for the 8^th time in 12 seasons.

After back-to-back losses to NC State and Florida State, #3 Notre Dame went on a 6-0 run to close the 1^st half and then busted the game open in the 3^rd quarter as the Irish defeated Louisville 72-59 at Purcell Pavilion Sunday in the regular season finale for both teams.

With the win, Notre Dame captures a share of the ACC regular season title with NC State. Both finish league play with a 16-2 record. The Wolfpack will be the #1 seed in the ACC Tournament based off of their head-to-head win over ND this week.

Hannah Hidalgo led Niele Ivey’s Irish with 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Olivia Miles had 15 points, including a 3 pointer at the buzzer to close the 3rd quarter that gave Notre Dame an 18 point lead heading into the 4th.

Notre Dame finishes the regular season with a 25-4 overall record.

The Irish were ranked #1 in the country after 19 straight wins before losing on the road at NC State one week ago. That was followed by a loss to Florida St leaving many wondering if the Irish were losing their mojo heading into the postseason.

But on Sunday at Purcell Pavilion, the Irish showed why they remain one of the very best teams in the country and kept their #1 seed dreams alive for the NCAA Tournament.

Louisville led 15-14 after one quarter. The Irish responded by outscoring the Cardinals 22-13 in the 2^nd quarter, highlighted by a 6-0 run to end the 1^st half that put Notre Dame up 36-28 at halftime. After Louisville closed to within 3 early in the 2nd half, the Irish turned on the jets scoring 21 of the final 27 points of the 3rd to lead 58-40 heading to the 4th.

The ACC Tournament begins on Wednesday in Greensboro. Being the #2 seed, Notre Dame will have the double bye and won’t play until the tournament quarterfinals Friday at 5pm.