UPSET: #6 Notre Dame pulls off upset in Sweet 16

FORT WORTH, Texas (TXAN 24) — It came down to the final possessions at Dickies Arena, but Notre Dame did just enough to survive and advance, holding off Vanderbilt 67–64 in a gritty Sweet Sixteen showdown.

Just like the first half hinted, this one turned into a full-on battle.

Notre Dame leaned on the same formula that carried them early—defensive pressure and composure in key moments. Down the stretch, the Fighting Irish made the plays that mattered most, forcing tough Vanderbilt possessions and capitalizing on opportunities at the free-throw line to maintain their edge.

Vanderbilt showed a completely different level of urgency in the second half. The Commodores found more rhythm offensively, knocking down timely shots and attacking the paint with confidence. They chipped away at the deficit and kept it within one possession late, but couldn’t quite get over the hump.

Rebounding and second-chance points continued to be a bright spot for Vanderbilt, giving them multiple opportunities to stay alive in the closing minutes. But a few costly possessions—and Notre Dame’s ability to stay composed under pressure—proved to be the difference.

The atmosphere inside Dickies Arena matched the moment, with both fan bases on their feet in the final minutes as the game hung in the balance.

In the end, Notre Dame’s consistency and defensive intensity carried them through, punching their ticket to the Elite Eight with a hard-fought 67–64 win.

Vanderbilt’s tournament run comes to an end, but not without a fight in one of the tighter contests of the Sweet Sixteen.

Stay with TXAN 24 for continued coverage as Notre Dame moves on.