Notre Dame Eliminates Santa Barbara

Megan Duffy scored 18 points with seven free throws in the last minute and fourth-seeded Notre Dame beat UC Santa Barbara, 61-51, in the first round of the NCAA women’s tournament Saturday.

“We kept our poise a little more,” Duffy said of the focus after halftime of the Tempe Regional game. “We were just trying to find a feel for the defense.”

Breona Gray and Courtney LaVere had 10 points apiece for Notre Dame (27-5), which began the school’s 10th straight NCAA tournament by winning for the 14th time in 16 games.

“Santa Barbara is a great team,” Notre Dame Coach Muffet McGraw said. “They should have been seeded higher.”

Mia Fisher scored 18 points for No. 13 UCSB (21-9) in its ninth straight NCAA tournament. The Gauchos’ winning streak ended at 10 games.

Notre Dame began the second half with a 6-1 spurt and didn’t allow the Gauchos a field goal until Jessica Wilson’s basket at 15:38, but UCSB rallied. Brandy Richardson scored with 3:10 left to pull the Gauchos to within 50-46.

Gaucho forward Kristen Mann made a one-handed fling at 1:52 but was called for traveling. Duffy scored moments later.

The recruit who got away from UCSB helped eliminate the Gauchos, who had won 16 of their last 17. LaVere grew up near the UCSB campus in Ventura and chose South Bend over staying close to home. She had seven rebounds and two assists.