Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Coach Niele Ivey Expresses Disappointment After Loss to NC State
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame women’s basketball head coach Niele Ivey expressed sharp disappointment following her team’s 104-95 loss to NC State, emphasizing her determination to prevent further setbacks. The defeat, a high-scoring affair, left Ivey visibly frustrated and underscored the team’s need for immediate improvement.
“I’m not happy,” Ivey stated plainly in her post-game press conference. “I hate losing. Losing to NC State 104-95 is a big slap in the face. It’s unacceptable, and we can’t afford to lose again.”
The game saw a back-and-forth battle, with both teams showcasing potent offensive capabilities. However, NC State ultimately proved too strong, pulling away in the final stages. Ivey pointed to several areas where her team fell short, highlighting defensive lapses and inconsistencies in execution as key factors contributing to the defeat.
While acknowledging NC State’s talent and strong performance, Ivey emphasized the need for her players to take greater responsibility and improve their overall performance. She stressed the importance of improved defensive intensity and greater focus on limiting turnovers, stating that these issues are directly impacting the team’s ability to compete at the highest level.
“We need to be tougher,” Ivey declared. “We need to be more disciplined. We need to execute better on both ends of the court. This loss serves as a wake-up call. We need to learn from our mistakes and move forward.”
The loss to NC State puts added pressure on Notre Dame as they navigate the remainder of their schedule. Ivey’s candid assessment of the situation underscores the urgency within the team to address their shortcomings and return to winning ways. The team’s next game is against Miami Hurricanes and the coaching staff will undoubtedly be working diligently to implement necessary adjustments and prepare the team for a more competitive performance. The focus now shifts to correcting the mistakes and ensuring that this setback serves as a catalyst for improvement.
