UPSET! Eagles Down No. 17/19 Notre Dame in Comeback Victory

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CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Trailing by as many as 14 points, the Boston College women’s basketball team soared back to upset No. 17 Notre Dame in a thrilling 73-71 win on Thursday evening in Conte Forum.

The Eagles improve to 13-5 and 4-3 in the ACC after earning their first win over a ranked opponent since defeating then-No. 15 Florida State in 2019-20 on the road. It’s the first win over a ranked foe at home since upsetting then-No. 15 Duke in 2014-15.

Cameron Swartz was at it again, scoring a game-high 28 points on 10-of-22 shooting, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out four assists. Makayla Dickens did her damage in the second half, scoring 17 of her 20 points in the last two quarters. She also dished out five assists and hit seven of her 14 field goals.

Taylor Soule scored 15 points and grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds (six offensive) for her first double-double of the season. Swartz, Dickens, and Soule scored 63 of the team’s points.

With the score in Notre Dame’s favor, 67-61, with 4:54 left in the contest, back-to-back trifectas from Swartz and Dickens tied things up. After ND responded with a 3-pointer of its own, Swartz came through in the clutch to deliver the go-ahead basket, 72-70.

BC’s defense came through on the final possession after both teams went 1-for-2 at the line, as it came up with the stop to pull out the stellar triumph.

The Eagles trailed 55-41 before putting together a 13-0 surge over the final 2:53 of the quarter that sliced the gap to one. The trio of Soule, Dickens, and Swartz combined for 12 of the points.

Maria Gakdeng’s layup to start the fourth gave BC its first lead since the opening period. Notre Dame answered with a 7-0 spurt to go in front, 62-56, before the thrilling finish.

Notre Dame shot 50.9 percent from the field but only made five of its final 18 shots, including six straight field goals during the comeback.

BC tied a season-high with 11 3-pointers and turned the ball over just eight times in the last three quarters (7 in the first period). The Eagles also took advantage of 18 ND turnovers for 19 points. The 18 miscues for the Fighting Irish are the most committed in a league game this season.

The Eagles aim to continue the momentum on Sunday when it hosts Miami at 12 p.m. in Conte Forum.

Tip-Ins

Swartz has scored 25 or more points in three games.
Soule now has 15 double-doubles for her career. The Eagles are 11-4 in those games.
It’s the second time this season at least two players have scored 20 or more points.
The Eagles are 5-1 when they pull down at least 15 offensive rebounds.
BC is 5-1 in the month of January.