SOUTH BEND, Ind. — La Crosse native Lexi Donarski played all 40 minutes and scored 13 in leading the North Carolina women’s basketball team to a 61-57 upset win Sunday over 16th-ranked Notre Dame.
Donarski was 3-for-8 from beyond the arc and added six rebounds, two steals and had no turnovers.
Donarski hit one of those 3s at the third-quarter buzzer to pull the Tar Heels within 46-45.
The 6-foot shooting guard has now hit 13 3-pointers in her past three games and scored in double figures four consecutive times, and six of the past eight games.
This is the second-consecutive contest Donarski has led her team in minutes. She didn’t turn it over in either games. This is also the second game this season she’s played all 40 minutes.
Indya Nivar led NC in scoring with 16 off the bench.
“The subs that we have coming in, the energy stays the same,” Donarski said. “People are making huge plays no matter who’s in the game. It’s just a lot of fun.”
This is the second ranked opponent North Carolina (11-4) has beaten this week in rattling off five consecutive wins. The Tar Heels came into last week ranked just outside the Top 25. They will likely crack the Top 25 later Monday, after dropping out from the 25th spot last week.
TOP PHOTO: La Crosse native Lexi Donarski shoots during the first half of North Carolina’s game at Notre Dame on Jan. 7, 2023 (PHOTO: @UNCWBB on Twitter)