Rockne's Roundtable

Kayla BcBride is on fire, nailing her fourth straight shot, this one from three to extend the lead to 20-8.

Second media timeout at 11:30. Notre Dame 20, UConn 10. Defense is really active like it was in the second half of the Louisville game yesterday. Huskies have converted only two of their last 11 shots, often contested.

Achonwa picks up her second foul at 9:56 after UConn cuts it to 20-15. She'll sit the rest of the half. She sat the last 16 minutes of the first half in the meeting a week ago.

Diggins gets some momentum back with a steal and basket for a 22-15 lead.

Third media timeout (7:44). Notre Dame Dame 24, UConn 15, with the Huskies preparing to shoot two free throws after the timeout. McBride has 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including a trey. She scored a career high 26 points in the last meeting with UConn.

Whose in for Achonwa? Big or small?

Markisha Wright is 6-2 and tallest player for ND. UConn has Dolson (6-5), Stewart (6-4) and Stokes (6-3).

Last media timeout of half (3:45: Notre Dame 28, UConn 22. It's ND's perimeter game right now with its four-guard lineup against the Huskies' post game with the size up front. McBride has 13 poins, and Loyd will be shooting two free throws after the timeout.

UConn's best shooter, Klaeena Mosqueda-Lewis, also picked up her second foul, so she'll be out the rest of the half.

Loyd nails a three for a 35-22 lead, the biggest of the game. Loyd has 10, including two treys.

Halftime: Notre Dame 35, Connecticut 26. Super defensive performance by Notre Dame, holding UConn to about 33 percent shooting. Unsung hero has been sophomore Markisha Wright. She has more than held her own in the defensive post and as a screener the past couple of weeks when Achonwa had foul troubles.

McBride has 13, Loyd 10 and Diggins 8, tallying 31 of the 35 points. Achonwa and Wright each scored two points apiece.