North Carolina

Photos: No. 17 North Carolina falls to No. 3 Notre Dame

By Kaitlin McKeown
North Carolina’s Indya Nivar and Lexi Donarski pressure Notre Dame’s Maddy Westbeld during the first half of the Tar Heels’ game at Carmichael Arena on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Indya Nivar and Lexi Donarski pressure Notre Dame’s Maddy Westbeld during the first half of the Tar Heels’ game at Carmichael Arena on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com

No. 17 North Carolina fell 76-66 to No. 3 Notre Dame on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Senior Maria Gakdeng led the Tar Heels with 16 points. Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles knocked down five three-point baskets apiece.

The Tar Heels will face No. 14 Duke on Thursday in Chapel Hill.

Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo drives past North Carolina’s Reniya Kelly and Maria Gakdeng during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo drives past North Carolina’s Reniya Kelly and Maria Gakdeng during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Lanie Grant shoots over Notre Dame’s Liza Karlen during the first half of the Tar Heels’ game at Carmichael Arena on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Lanie Grant shoots over Notre Dame’s Liza Karlen during the first half of the Tar Heels’ game at Carmichael Arena on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Maria Gakdeng and Lexi Donarski react to a call during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss to Notre Dame on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Maria Gakdeng and Lexi Donarski react to a call during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss to Notre Dame on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Ciera Toomey and Alyssa Ustby tangle with Notre Dame’s Liatu King for a loose ball during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Ciera Toomey and Alyssa Ustby tangle with Notre Dame’s Liatu King for a loose ball during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Maria Gakdeng and Ciera Toomey battle for a rebound with Notre Dame’s Liatu King during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Maria Gakdeng and Ciera Toomey battle for a rebound with Notre Dame’s Liatu King during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart reacts during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss to Notre Dame on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart reacts during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss to Notre Dame on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo pressures North Carolina’s Grace Townsend during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo pressures North Carolina’s Grace Townsend during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Notre Dame’s Kate Koval and North Carolina’s Maria Gakdeng scramble for a loose ball during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Notre Dame’s Kate Koval and North Carolina’s Maria Gakdeng scramble for a loose ball during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Notre Dame’s Maddy Westbeld blocks a shot by North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Notre Dame’s Maddy Westbeld blocks a shot by North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles reacts after knocking down a basket during the second half of the Irish’s 76-66 win over North Carolina on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles reacts after knocking down a basket during the second half of the Irish’s 76-66 win over North Carolina on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo drives through the North Carolina defense during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo drives through the North Carolina defense during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey reacts on the sidelines during the first half of the Irish’s 76-66 win over North Carolina on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey reacts on the sidelines during the first half of the Irish’s 76-66 win over North Carolina on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby pressurs Notre Dame’s Liatu King during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby pressurs Notre Dame’s Liatu King during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Maria Gakdeng drives between Notre Dame’s Sonia Citron and Liatu King during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Maria Gakdeng drives between Notre Dame’s Sonia Citron and Liatu King during the first half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby reacts after the Tar Heels forced a Notre Dame turnover during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby reacts after the Tar Heels forced a Notre Dame turnover during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby blocks a shot by Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C.
North Carolina’s Alyssa Ustby blocks a shot by Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles during the second half of the Tar Heels’ 76-66 loss on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
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