2024 ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship Recap (3-10-24)

By: Joe Dillard Jr.

All Photo Credit: Nell Redmond-ACC Photos

After days of hoops, we have come to the championship Sunday and we have the atmosphere in the building electric as #2 North Carolina State takes on #4 Notre Dame in the Ally 2024 ACC Women’s Tournament. The first quarter showed you how both teams play as Notre Dame was led by sensational freshmen Hannah Hidalgo and a proven 3-level scorer Sonia Citron as they had all but two points for the Fighting Irish, while North Carolina displayed balance with every starter scoring to lead to a 15-14 quarter where stats where identical and only a free throw separated the stats. In the second quarter, both teams showed the fatigue of tournament play and it became a game of stars as Aziaya James led the way for the wolfpack with 8 points, but the duo of Citron and Hidalgo was amazing as they scored 20 in the first half to N.C. States 22.

In the third quarter, the wolfpack stormed back winning the quarter 21-13 as River Baldwin scored 10 points for the wolfpack to regain the lead. It appears the second star has come to play as Notre Dame does not have an answer for Baldwin with Kylee Watson out for Notre Dame as she had a leg injury in the semi-final matchup. State led after three 43-41. The final quarter of the game was full of emotion and valuable possessions. With 1:51 left to play the game was tied 51-51. Hannah Hidalgo hits a basket to give the Fighting Irish the lead 53-51. After a Sonia Citron free throw, which was her first bucket since the second quarter, North Carolina State had a missed three attempt and the ACC Freshmen of the Year is the Tournament MVP with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists with no turnovers and the poise of this freshmen is outstanding. Great game and Congratulations to the 2024 ACC Champion Notre Dame Lady Fighting Irish.