DAYTON, Ohio — Hands with green fingernail polish — Notre Dame’s NCAA Tournament tradition — seemed to swipe at every dribble and reach for every pass.
Brittany Mallory scored a season-high 20 points, and Notre Dame’s defensive pressure forced 24 turnovers and quickly took its toll in a 78-53 win over Oklahoma on Saturday that sent the Fighting Irish to the regional final.
“Maybe they don’t get enough credit for their defense because their offense is so salty,” Oklahoma coach Sherri Coale said.
Nicole Griffin scored 18 points for Oklahoma (23-12), which reached the Final Four each of the last two years. Notre Dame’s go-for-the-ball pressure crumpled the Sooners’ guard-driven offense, which had only eight field goals and 14 turnovers in the decisive first half.
“They were really prepared, really physical,” Oklahoma guard Whitney Hand said. “I thought we got scatterbrained and tight.”
It was the third time in the last four years the Sooners and Fighting Irish met in the NCAA Tournament. The first two games went to overtime. Notre Dame won the first time, 79-75 in the second round in 2008. Oklahoma got the rematch, 77-72 last year in a regional semifinal in Kansas City.
“Last year’s game was in the front of my mind the whole 40 minutes,” said Notre Dame point guard Skylar Diggins, who had 12 assists.
