ND women claim Final Four spot, beat Terps 80-49

By Joedy Mccreary

Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, March 27 2012 9:22 p.m. MDT

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Notre Dame's Brittany Mallory reacts following a basket during the first half of an NCAA women's college basketball tournament regional final against Maryland in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, March 27, 2012.

Gerry Broome, Associated Press

Summary

Skylar Diggins had a triple-double and Notre Dame claimed its second straight berth in the national semifinals by beating Maryland 80-49 on Tuesday night in the Raleigh Regional final.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Skylar Diggins had a triple-double and Notre Dame claimed its second straight berth in the national semifinals by beating Maryland 80-49 on Tuesday night in the Raleigh Regional final.

Diggins did it all for the top-seeded Fighting Irish (34-3). The Big East player of the year and AP All-America selection finished with 22 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds — and five steals.

Natalie Achonwa added 18 points while Kayla McBride had 16 and Natalie Novosel finished with 14. Next up for the Irish: Big East rival Connecticut on Sunday in Denver.

Alyssa Thomas scored 17 points and Tianna Hawkins and Alicia DeVaughn each had 10. Second-seeded Maryland (31-5) was denied its first Final Four since the Terrapins won the 2006 national title.

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