Minnesota Star Tribune

Notre Dame 61, Mississippi State 58: Game recap

April 2, 2018 at 4:49AM
Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw celebrates after defeating Mississippi State in the final of the women's NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 1, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. Notre Dame won 61-58. Notre Dame won 61-58. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw improved to 2-4 in national championship games. The last title came in 2001. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

GAME RECAP

Impact player

Arike Ogunbowale, Notre Dame

The junior guard had an off night shooting but came up big when it counted most. After shooting 1-for-10 in the first half, she scored 16 of her 18 points in the second half.

By the NUMBERS

13 Second-quarter points for Notre Dame in two Final Four games. It had three on Sunday.

109 NCAA tournament-record rebound total for MSU's Teaira McCowan (18.2 per game).

2001 The last time Notre Dame won the national title. That was also on April 1. The Irish lost in the final in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015.

4 Consecutive tournament games in which the Irish trailed at the half.

News services

Notre Dame's Kathryn Westbeld celebrates by cutting down the net after defeating Mississippi State in the final of the women's NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 1, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. Notre Dame won 61-58.
Notre Dame’s Kathryn Westbeld helped cut down the nets in her home state of Ohio. She had nine rebounds on Sunday. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Patrick Reusse Turkey of the Year past winners, from 1978 to today

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J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE, ASSOCIATED PRESS/The Minnesota Star Tribune

The "winners" have all been Turkeys, no matter the honor's name.

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