Everything Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey said after ‘super solid’ win vs. Louisville

Notre Dame finished the regular season on the right note with a 72-59 victory over Louisville. Here’s everything Fighting Irish head coach Niele Ivey said after the win.

Opening statement

“It was a rough week for us, so really grateful to have a bounce-back game at home. Great environment, and I addressed it after the game, the student body, they showed up for us. I’m so grateful for us. The fans showing up for us, just hanging with us going through a rough stretch. We really feed off the energy of everyone that comes out to support our women. I’m just so grateful. Grateful for this win and also the way we won.

“Defensively, we were solid today. I thought we did a great job of playing together. There was a ton of energy defensively, and I thought that was the difference in the game right from the beginning. It starts with [Hannah Hidalgo and Liza Karlen]. My players of the game were initially Liza and [Kate Koval]. I thought the came in with such great energy. Everywhere. Liza, fronting, getting steals, deflections, two charges in the first half. Just really ignited our defense.

“And then in the second half as well, went on a big run with those two on the floor. Kate using her size, her poise, her presence. It was amazing. Really helped change the game.

“A lot of contribution from everybody. [Olivia Miles] was super solid. [Sonia Citron], Maddy [Westbeld] and Liatu [King] on the boards. And then Hannah [Hidalgo], I thought she was so tough. So fiery, getting downhill, making big play after big play. Thought she took great shots and did a great job of being physical with the way that they defended her. I thought we handled the press. They mad their runs, but we made our own runs.

“Just collectively I’m really proud. I felt like we played to our standard today, and I’m hoping we can utilize this win and take that into next week because next week is 0-0. A new season, and we’re excited to be in March.”

On what Notre Dame did Friday and Saturday to get ready for Sunday

“Friday was more of a mental day. Watching film. A lot of awareness, just trying to find and watch for the things we need to focus on. At this point in the season, everything is in. It’s not really about Xs and Os. It’s about heart, determination, pride. That was kind of walking through some things.

“[Saturday], we were really active defensively. Got a chance to get up and down. We did a lot of rebounding drills, transition rebounding drills. Really defense focused. I thought that really helped. I thought they were locked in. They understood what we needed to do. They understand why we fell short the last two games defensively. They were prepared and ready. They practiced really well.”

On Notre Dame making 18 of 23 free throws in a physical matchup

“We definitely always know it’s going to be a physical matchup. I was happy the shots we took today were shots toward the rim. Post ups, getting downhill, I thought they did a better job as a team attacking them off the bounce, trying to find mismatches and getting to the free throw line. That was a credit to them of putting more pressure on their defense.”

On what’s being emphasized going into the ACC Tournament

“Defense and consistency. We have to rely on our defense, always, every game. And then be consistent with the way that we play. Our offense is going to come, but we got to focus on our defense. It’s going to be the same message. You have to rely on your defense and not solely focus on your offense.”

On Notre Dame senior guard Sonia Citron

“Her energy, her consistency, she’s been solid ever since she stepped on this campus. She is really unselfish, and she does whatever it takes. If that means she has to guard the best player, I think everybody knows that. One of the best two-way players in the country. Just very efficient. So her consistency and her efficiency and the way that she plays is something the team trusts and something I trust. She’s a glue, so we know exactly what we’re going to get every night no matter what. She’s been consistent throughout her whole career and the last several games she’s been fantastic.”

On what she learned about Notre Dame in back-to-back losses

“Just making sure that I do a great job of preparing them defensively. Defensive minded. Trying to help them through frustration and trying to help them as much as I can either defensively or what we need to change up, adjustments and going along with whatever the game dictates. That’s what I feel like I learned. When teams go on runs, I can see they might need a timeout maybe a little bit sooner. Adjustment, whatever that case may be. Reading into more, I feel like you learn a lot what this group needs. Or offensively scheming. Just making sure I’m making the right adjustments for them.”

On Olivia Miles’ third-quarter buzzer beater

“I loved it. No matter when it comes. I thought that was a big momentum booster for us. She really got the crowd going. That really lifted us up going into the fourth quarter. I thought that was a huge shot against a physical team. Normally we don’t get a chance to get those types of shots to go down. So I thought that was awesome.”