No. 3 Irish Welcome SFA For NCAA Tournament First Round
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball team, holding a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, is set to host the 14th-seeded Stephen F. Austin (SFA) Ladyjacks in a first-round matchup at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana. The game is scheduled for Friday, March 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN. Stephen F. Austin+6Notre Dame Insider+6On3+6Fighting Irish Athletics
Notre Dame’s Season Overview
The Fighting Irish enter the tournament with a 26-5 record. They briefly held the No. 1 ranking in February before experiencing a few setbacks, including losses to NC State and Florida State, resulting in three defeats over their last five games. Despite these challenges, Notre Dame’s overall performance has secured them a strong position in the tournament.On3+1Fighting Irish Athletics+1
Stephen F. Austin’s Journey
The Ladyjacks boast a 29-5 record and clinched the Southland Conference tournament title to secure their spot in the NCAA Tournament. This marks their third tournament appearance in the last five seasons, though they have not advanced past the first round since 2000. Notably, SFA is among the top teams nationally in three-point attempts per game, averaging 9.4 made three-pointers, which could pose a strategic challenge for Notre Dame.AP News+2Notre Dame Insider+2On3+2On3
Statistical Comparison
A comparison of key statistics highlights the strengths of both teams:
| Statistic | Notre Dame | Stephen F. Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring Offense | 84.7 | 77.9 |
| Scoring Margin | 22.6 | 16.3 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 48.7% | 46.1% |
| Three-Point Percentage | 39.5% | 36.0% |
| Three-Pointers Made/Game | 7.4 | 9.4 |
| Free Throw Percentage | 77.2% | 73.0% |
| Rebounds per Game | 43.1 | 39.9 |
| Rebound Margin | 8.5 | 4.4 |
| Assists per Game | 17.4 | 15.8 |
| Turnovers per Game | 15.3 | 17.9 |
| Turnover Margin | 3.2 | 0.0 |
| Assist/Turnover Ratio | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Steals per Game | 11.5 | 10.1 |
| Blocks per Game | 5.4 | 3.2 |
Coaching Perspectives
Notre Dame’s head coach, Niele Ivey, expressed respect for SFA’s capabilities, acknowledging their offensive prowess and the challenges they present. She emphasized the importance of defensive readiness and maintaining focus throughout the game. YouTube+2On3+2On3+2On3
Game Outlook
The matchup is expected to be a test of Notre Dame’s defensive strategies against SFA’s high-volume three-point shooting. The Fighting Irish’s ability to control the pace, dominate the boards, and limit turnovers will be crucial in countering the Ladyjacks’ offensive threats. Fans can anticipate an engaging contest as both teams vie for advancement in the tournament.On3+1Stephen F. Austin+1
For more insights, you can watch the pre-game press conference featuring Coach Ivey and players Sonia Citron and Hannah Hidalgo: