Van Lith Shines with 26 Points to Propel TCU to Victory Over Notre Dame

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Hailey Van Lith was on fire in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 of her 26 points to lead second-seeded TCU to a 71-62 victory over No. 3 seed Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA tournament. Sedona Prince added an impressive 21 points, marking a historic moment for TCU as they advance to the Elite Eight for the first time ever.

The game was intense. With the score tied at 52 early in the fourth, Van Lith went to work. She scored five of the next six points, pushing TCU into the lead. Whenever Notre Dame tried to make a run, Van Lith was there to respond.

After starting her journey at Louisville, Van Lith transferred to LSU last season and then to TCU. This marks her fifth time reaching a regional final, showcasing her determination and skill.

Notre Dame, with hopes of returning to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019, faced challenges. Liatu King contributed 17 points, while Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles added 15 and 10 points, respectively. However, their backcourt faced struggles, shooting just 6 for 29 from the field.

The game saw a close first half, with Notre Dame taking a narrow 35-33 lead into halftime. They briefly appeared to take control in the third quarter, scoring nine straight points. A highlight came from Miles, who dazzled the crowd with a no-look pass that led to a layup and then hit a 3-pointer, celebrating her shot with flair.

Despite this, TCU remained composed. Van Lith made crucial defensive plays to keep her team in the hunt, trailing just 52-50 as they entered the fourth quarter.

Interestingly, the two teams had already met earlier in the season during a Thanksgiving tournament in the Cayman Islands, where TCU rallied from a 14-point deficit to win. In that game, Notre Dame was missing key players Maddy Westbeld and Liza Karlen, which certainly impacted their performance.

This season has been remarkable for TCU, boasting both historical success and the oldest team in the tournament, with an average age of 22.5 years. Only two players on the roster are under 21, bringing a wealth of experience to their game.

As the tournament progresses, TCU’s journey offers a glimpse into the excitement and unpredictability of women’s college basketball. With talent and determination, they are making their mark in a big way.

For more updates and stats, you can check NCAA’s official site here.

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