Notre Dame Women's Basketball AP No. 1 for first time since 2019, first time under Coach Ivey

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The weekly Associated Press NCAA Women's Basketball poll was released at noon on Monday and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (22-2, 13-0) are the nation's No. 1 team.

The top-ranked Irish are led by the best backcourt in the country in Sonia Citron, Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles. The three guards have combined for a total of 1258 points, 381 rebounds, 303 assists and 168 steals.

Additionally, Hidalgo ranks second nationally with 25.2 points and 4.1 steals per game, while Miles is pacing the ACC and ranks sixth in the country with 6.3 assists per contest. She is shooting 53.1 percent from the floor, which leads all ACC guards.

Riding a wave of 17-straight wins, the Irish moved up one spot from No. 2 in this week's poll thanks to formerly undefeated No. 1 UCLA (23-1, 11-1) being beaten by No. 6 USC, 71-60, on Friday.

UCLA was also held in check for most of the game in a close contest against No. 22 Michigan State on Sunday, eventually pulling away to win, 75-69.

The Bruins fell to No. 3 in this week's poll, behind the Irish and No. 2 Texas. 

The Irish only had one game over the last week, taking down Pittsburg, 88-57, on Feb. 13. 

Notre Dame sits atop the AP poll for the first time since Jan. 21, 2019, and the first time under head coach Niele Ivey.

The Irish have now been ranked in the AP poll for 72 consecutive weeks, the third longest active streak in the country.

They will not have long to celebrate being at the top of college basketball for long as they host No. 11 Duke (20-5, 11-2) Monday night in South Bend at 6 p.m.

Notre Dame is 18-4 all-time against Duke and 6-1 at home.