Gamecocks-Irish to open 2023-24 women’s basketball season in Paris

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina and NotreDame will open the next women’s college basketball season in Paris,the schools announced Wednesday.

The Nov. 6 matchup will mark the first time an NCAAregular-season game has been played in the French capital.

Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley said she didn’t hesitate wheninvited to take part. “Playing Notre Dame in Paris is aonce-in-a-lifetime experience for our student-athletes,” shesaid.

South Carolina reached its third straight Final Four this pastseason and was undefeated until losing to Iowa 77-73 in thenational semifinals.

Notre Dame advanced to the Sweet 16, where it lost to Maryland76-59.

Fighting Irish coach Niele Ivey said the women’s college game ison the rise and “having this exposure will help grow the game on aninternational level.”