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Arena was Jon Samuelson, whose daughter, Karlie, scored 15 for Stanford. A day earlier, he was at the Bridgeport Regional to see another daughter, UConn star Katie Lou Samuelson, help the Huskies win their 110th straight game.

Smith finished with 15 points. After driving for a basket with 51 seconds left, she added her biggest shot for the goahead score.

Stanford then denied Notre Dame’s Lindsay Allen and Ogunbowale on successive attempts in the final 15 seconds to spark a wild celebration.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be back, and we’re ready to play,” said Samuelson, a senior guard.

Marina Mabrey 20 for Notre Dame, which had sought its sixth Final Four in seven seasons.

THE BIG PICTURE

getting outscored 23-7. … McCall had 11 rebounds.

Notre Dame seemed to do everything right for most of the game but couldn’t stop Stanford’s perimeter game in the second half.

The Irish also made just 11 of 31 shots after halftime and were topped 33-32 on the boards.

Stanford faces the South CarolinaFlorida State winner in the Final Four in Dallas next Friday. Stanford 76, Notre Dame 75

Stanford (32-5) Johnson 0-0 1-2 1, McCall 4-10 1-2 9, McPhee 10-17 2-2 27, Roberson 2-5 2-2 7, Samuelson 5-9 0-0 15, Fingall 0-1 0-0 0, Smith 7-10 0-0 15, Carrington 0-3 0-0 0, Sniezek 0-4 2-2 2, Totals 28-59 8-10 76.

Notre Dame (33-4) Boley 3-8 0-0 9, Westbeld 3-6 1-2 7, Allen 3-9 4-6 10, Mabrey 9-18 0-0 20, Ogunbowale 9-16 6-6 25, Nelson 0-1 0-0 0, Young 2-7 0-1 4, Totals 29-65 11-15 75. Stanford 24 7 24 21 — 76 Notre Dame 22 23 12 18 — 75 3-Point Goals—Stanford 12-26 (McCall 0-1, McPhee 5-9, Roberson 1-4, Samuelson 5-8, Smith 1-1, Carrington 0-2, Sniezek 0-1), Notre Dame 6-21 (Boley 3-7, Westbeld 0-1, Mabrey 2-8, Ogunbowale 1-3, Young 0-2). Assists—Stanford 22 (Sniezek 8), Notre Dame 11 (Allen 6). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Stanford 33 (McCall 11), Notre Dame 32 (Allen 10). Total Fouls—Stanford 12, Notre Dame 12. A—2,527.