SOUTH BEND, Indiana – The Southern Utah women’s basketball team traveled to Purcell Pavilion to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament on Friday.

The Thunderbirds last game was a 9-point win over the California Baptist Lancers in Las Vegas. Notre Dame’s last game was a blowout loss to the Louisville Cardinals.

The winner of the game will go on to play either Creighton or Mississippi State in the second round.

First Half

Southern Utah struggled out of the gates. They missed all of their first 6 shots which allowed Notre Dame to open a 10-0 lead.

The Fighting Irish shot 6/7 to start the game.

Lizzy Williamson broke the seal for the Thunderbirds with a layup.

Q1 | Dayla ➡️ Lizzy to open up scoring 🏀#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/i8TwCufKe0

— SUU Women’s Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) March 17, 2023

Notre Dame led 18-2 halfway through the first with 14 of their points coming in the paint.

Maddy Westbeld and Kylee Watson combined for 12 points on 6/6 shooting.

The score was 27-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Q1 | Megan = 🔥🔥🔥#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/MhwsghhRjw

— SUU Women’s Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) March 17, 2023

Notre Dame opened the second quarter with a 14-2 run.

Samantha Johnston hit a floater for the Thunderbirds.

Q2 | Sam with the shake and bake 🤑#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/V0Ocz8Ev24

— SUU Women’s Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) March 17, 2023

Just like in the first, Southern Utah was able to get the offense going later in the quarter.

Q2 | Sam making it 🌧#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/B3f3eBFIuH

— SUU Women’s Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) March 17, 2023

Notre Dame led by 19 at halftime, 43-24.

Halftime from South Bend 🌇#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/NksEFwN0CQ

— SUU Women’s Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) March 17, 2023

Second Half

Cherita Daugherty made a tough mid-range jumpshot to kick off the second half.

Q3 | Cherita with the tough bucket 💪#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/nU0D3H5F0m

— SUU Women’s Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) March 17, 2023

The Fighting Irish went on a 20-8 run in the first five minutes of the half.

Megan Jensen led the Thunderbirds with 9 points.

Westbeld led the way for Notre Dame with 20 points on 9/13 shooting through three quarters. They led 70-42.

4️⃣th quarter coming up 🔜#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/VRLLTa5Q5F

— SUU Women’s Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) March 17, 2023

Southern Utah led 9-7 in the first five minutes of the final quarter.

Everyone who subbed in for the Thunderbirds scored at least once.

Q4 | Megan with the 🏀 on the inbound.#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/IlpJZ7lHZi

— SUU Women’s Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) March 17, 2023

Tomekia Whitman hit a tough turnaround jumpshot.

Q4 | Tomekia with the 🔄 jumper#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/u7OO4dzdyF

— SUU Women’s Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) March 17, 2023

Notre Dame shot 49% from the field for the game. Southern Utah shot 36%.

The Thunderbirds lose in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to the Fighting Irish, 82-56.

FINAL.#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/g7PXhk2FXZ

— SUU Women’s Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) March 17, 2023

Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.

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