Notre Dame women’s basketball dropped an Atlantic Coast Conference road contest Sunday afternoon, falling 81-70 to Virginia at John Paul Jones Arena. A decisive third quarter by the Cavaliers shifted the balance of a game that had remained competitive through the first half ultimately handing the Irish their sixth conference loss of the season.
Notre Dame fell to 15-8 overall and 7-6 in ACC play with the loss, while Virginia improved to 16-7 and 9-4 in conference action.
The game opened evenly, with Notre Dame setting the early tone by edging Virginia 18-17 in the first quarter. The Irish played with pace and intent, attacking the basket and moving the ball effectively through the half court. Defensively, Notre Dame limited Virginia’s transition opportunities and forced the Cavaliers to work deep into the shot clock on several possessions.
Virginia stayed close behind physical interior play and steady ball movement, but Notre Dame’s early execution allowed the Irish to control tempo through the opening 10 minutes. The Cavaliers struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm in the first quarter while Notre Dame capitalized on opportunities to establish a narrow lead.
Momentum shifted in the second quarter as Virginia increased defensive pressure and began dictating the flow of play. The Cavaliers outscored Notre Dame 22-13, using forced turnovers and second-chance points to build an advantage. The Notre Dame offensive efficiency dipped as Virginia tightened its perimeter defense and disrupted passing lanes, limiting clean looks and preventing sustained scoring runs.
Several empty possessions by the Irish allowed Virginia to gain confidence and the Cavaliers took advantage by converting key shots and drawing fouls. Despite efforts to stabilize before halftime, Notre Dame entered the break trailing 39-31, facing an uphill battle against a Virginia team that had settled into its game.
The third quarter proved to be the ultimate game changer. Virginia emerged from halftime with renewed urgency and control as they quickly established momentum on both ends of the floor. The Cavaliers pushed the pace selectively, capitalized on mismatches and executed efficiently in the half court, putting constant pressure on Notre Dame’s defense.
Virginia poured in 26 points in the third quarter holding Notre Dame to 15, stretching the lead and creating separation. The Cavaliers consistently found quality shots while Notre Dame struggled to match the scoring pace. Missed opportunities on offense and defensive breakdowns allowed Virginia to control the quarter, forcing the Irish into a reactionary position.
Although Notre Dame showed moments of defensive resistance, it was unable to string together the stops needed to halt the Virginia momentum. The Cavaliers’ ability to move the ball and finish possessions limited Notre Dame’s chances to shift the game’s trajectory. By the end of the quarter, Virginia had firmly established control.
Facing a significant deficit entering the fourth, Notre Dame responded with urgency and composure. The Irish outscored Virginia 24-16 in the final period, showing improved ball movement and increased defensive intensity. Notre Dame attacked the basket more effectively and generated stops that briefly brought momentum back in its favor.
For stretches of the fourth quarter, Notre Dame threatened to close the gap, cutting into the deficit and forcing Virginia to execute under pressure. However, the Cavaliers responded with poise, managing the clock and converting timely opportunities to prevent a full comeback.
Virginia’s ability to protect the ball and limit Notre Dame’s second-chance opportunities proved critical down the stretch. While the Irish continued to compete and showed resilience until the final buzzer, the third-quarter deficit proved too much to overcome. The loss underscored the importance of sustained execution across all four quarters, particularly on the road in ACC play. Notre Dame won both the first and fourth quarters, but the Cavaliers’ dominance in the middle two periods defined the outcome.
For Notre Dame, the performance reflected both competitiveness and inconsistency. The Irish demonstrated the ability to control tempo early and respond late, but lapses in execution and defensive cohesion allowed Virginia to dictate long stretches of the game.
As the season moves deeper into February, games like Sunday’s carry increased significance in conference standings and postseason positioning. Notre Dame remains firmly in contention but will need to find greater consistency, particularly coming out of halftime, to turn close games into wins.
Meanwhile, Virginia reinforced its position in the ACC race by defending home court with disciplined play and efficient execution. The Cavaliers’ third-quarter control highlighted their ability to adjust and capitalize on opportunities, especially against conference opponents battling for positioning.
For Notre Dame, the challenge moving forward will be maintaining focus and execution for a full 40 minutes as the Irish prepare for the final stretch of conference play.
