LEXINGTON, Ky — Alanna Smith’s jumper with 23 seconds left capped Stanford’s rally from a 16-point deficit in the second half, Erica McCall blocked a last-second shot and the Cardinal edged top-seeded Notre Dame, 76-75, Sunday to reach its first Final Four since 2014.
Brittany McPhee scored 27 as the second-seeded Cardinal (32-5) won its eighth in a row over all. This was the third straight year Stanford and Notre Dame have met in the N.C.A.A. Tournament, with the Cardinal winning twice.
Down 47-31 in the third quarter, Stanford surged to end Notre Dame’s 17-game winning streak.