Irish reach third straight Sweet 16 with win over Rebels

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame is dancing to their third straight NCAA Sweet 16 after defeating 7 seed Ole Miss 71-56 in Purcell Pavilion Monday.

The energy in the arena was electric as Notre Dame had their largest student section for a women's basketball game all season.

The "Big 3" led the Irish, matching Ole Miss with 56 points. Maddy Westbeld scored 20 points, Hannah Hidaglo had 19 points, and Sonia Citron added a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. 

Notre Dame was hot early, and never let Ole Miss back within single digits.

The Irish defense was stifling, once holding the Rebels without a score for four minutes in the second quarter.

Notre Dame led by as much as 23 in the second half. Ole Miss then went on an 8-0 run, but the Irish answered.

Despite some late foul trouble, Notre Dame held onto the lead, winning 71-56.

The Irish will travel to Albany for their Sweet 16 matchup against 3 seed Oregon State (26-7) Friday. The time is TBA.

This will be Notre Dame's 20th Sweet 16 in program history.