RALEIGH, N.C. (WNDU) - The second-longest active winning streak in NCAA Division I women’s college basketball is no more after No. 1 Notre Dame lost a double-overtime thriller at No. 13 NC State 104-95. The Fighting Irish (24-3, 15-1 ACC) were looking to become the first team in ACC history to go 18-0 in a season, but they were unable to overcome a Wolfpack team that dominated in the second overtime. It was a back-and-forth battle inside Reynolds Coliseum, which had a hostile, postseason-type atmosphere. There were more than a dozen lead changes in regulation, so it was only fitting that this one needed multiple overtimes to decide a winner. There almost wasn’t any overtime, as NC State (22-5, 14-2 ACC) held a three-point lead with four seconds to play. However, Sonia Citron nailed a huge 3-pointer with 0.6 seconds left in regulation to extend the game. Neither team was able to get separation after one overtime period, but then it was all Wolfpack in the second one as they went on a 14-3 run to close the game and secure their first home win over an AP No. 1 team since 1978. With the loss, Notre Dame was unable to clinch the ACC regular season title. However, the Irish remain ahead of NC State in the conference standings with two ACC games left on their schedule. Surprisingly, it’s also their first loss on U.S. soil this season, as both of their previous losses came in the Cayman Islands Classic back in late November. The Fighting Irish moved to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 for the first time under Niele Ivey to start the week, but their stay at No. 1 looks like it will be brief as the new poll comes out Monday afternoon. Notre Dame was led in the losing effort by Hannah Hidalgo (26 points), Sonica Citron (23 points) and Olivia Miles (22 points). Liatu King also had a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Meanwhile, NC State’s entire starting lineup scored in double digits. Zoe Brooks led the Wolfpack with 33 points while Aziaha James scored 20, Tilda Trygger had 19, Saniya Rivers scored 14 and Madison Hayes added 13. Notre Dame returns home to host Florida State on Thursday night. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. EST on the ACC Network.
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