Greenville, SC – Maryland women’s basketball advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2015 after the second-seeded Terps beat third-seeded Notre Dame, 76-59, on Saturday in the NCAA Sweet 16 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Maryland (28-6) will take on No. 1 seed South Carolina on Monday night (7 p.m.) for a spot in the 2023 Final Four in Dallas.
Senior Diamond Miller scored (18 total points) Shyanne Sellers (18 points) combined for 17 points in the decisive third quarter to lead the Terps to a victory. The duo had 30 combined points in the second half as Notre Dame scored 27 points total as a team. Down by eight midway through the second quarter, Maryland cut its deficit to one at halftime at 32-31.
In the third quarter, the Terps broke open a 44-44 tie as Miller keyed a 9-0 run to put Maryland up 53-44 and the Terps never trailed again. In addition to their scoring totals, Miller and Sellers played all-around games from the tip-off. Miller also had five rebounds, two assists, four steals, and two blocks while Sellers contributed eight assists, five rebounds, and three steals.
Lavender Briggs chipped in 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting. Abby Meyers scored 11 points, nine in the first half, keeping the Terps in the game. Notre Dame had trouble with the Terps’ Defense all game, forcing the Irish into a season-high 25 turnovers as Maryland had 15 steals, led by Meyers and Sellers, who each had four.
The Terps beat the Irish for the second time this season, also downing them 74-72, in South Bend on Dec. 1, 2022. In that game, Miller hit a game-winning buzzer-beater shot to lift Maryland to the victory in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
The Irish who finished the season without star guard Olivia Miles. The sophomore’s presence on the court was greatly missed this afternoon. Notre Dame finished its season at 27-6. The Irish led by Sonia Citron, who had 14 points and seven rebounds.