NASHVILLE – Kayla McBride scored 28 points on 12-of-21 shooting Sunday to lead No. 1-seed Notre Dame to an 87-61 rout of Maryland to advance to the NCAA championship game on Tuesday. It was the third-largest margin of victory in a national semifinal game.
The Fighting Irish remained unbeaten (37-0) with a 10-0 run late in the first half, taking a 12-point advantage it never relinquished. Maryland never got within 10 points in the second half. Jewell Loyd added 16 points and Markisha Wright scored 12. The Terrapins, third in the country in rebound margin entering the game, was outrebounded 50-21 with Loyd and Wright each grabbing nine caroms for the Irish.
Dave Ryan, Debbie Antonelli and Krista Blunk called the action on WestwoodOne Sports.
(Kayla McBride’s slippery move stakes the Irish to a 21-17 lead.)
[podcast id='1']
(McBride continues a terrific first half, hitting her fifth shot for a 25-21 Notre Dame advantage.)
[podcast id='2']
(McBride hits a layup and gets fouled. She’s got 12 points and the Irish lead 27-21.)
[podcast id='3']
(Madison Cable’s 3-pointer ends the first half. Notre Dame leads 48-31.)
[podcast id='4']
(Jewell Loyd has a chance for a 3-point play to start the second half.)
[podcast id='5']
(McBride scores again as Notre Dame is running away from Maryland! The Irish lead it 52-31.)
[podcast id='6']
(McBride stays red hot! She’s got 26 and Maryland has no answer.)
[podcast id='7']
(Notre Dame’s dream season continues, running its perfect record to 37-0 and advancing to the national championship.)
[podcast id='0']
(Postgame interview with Notre Dame’s Jewell Loyd)
[podcast id='8']
(Postgame interview with Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw)
[podcast id='9']
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