Niele Ivey: Hannah Hidalgo is "One of the Best Guards I've Ever Coached" After Notre Dame's 79-60 victory over Fairfield, head coach Niele Ivey, Hannah Hidalgo, and Cassandre Prosper addressed the media following the game. Ivey opened the press conference by highlighting the defensive effort behind the win, citing the team's 19 forced turnovers as a key factor. She emphasized her satisfaction with the team's trust and resilience throughout the season. Fairfield entered the matchup averaging 30.8 three-point attempts per game and shooting 11.4 three-pointers per contest. Hidalgo acknowledged the challenge of facing such a potent shooting team but noted the Irish's strategy to pressure Fairfield into contested shots. "We knew they were going to make threes," Hidalgo said, "but we were intentional about driving them off the line and limiting the damage." Prosper spoke about the team's mindset for the next round, stating the Irish aimed to "punch them in the face first" to disrupt the opponent's confidence through aggressive defense. The Irish's approach aligns with their overall style, as Ohio State, their next opponent, is known for its aggressive playstyle focused on forcing turnovers. Hidalgo added that the team's experience with ups and downs this season has prepared them for such challenges, stressing the importance of playing within themselves to secure victories. When asked about Hidalgo's role on the team, Ivey praised her as one of the best two-way players she has ever coached. She highlighted Hidalgo's leadership, which proved crucial during the season as the team adapted to new dynamics. Ivey's comments underscored the impact of Hidalgo's contributions both offensively and defensively, reinforcing her value as a key player in the program's success.#hannah_hidalgo #notre_dame #cassandre_prosper #niele_ivey #fairfield
Notre Dame Dominates Fairfield in NCAA Tournament Opener The Notre Dame Fighting Irish secured a decisive 79-60 victory over No. 11 seed Fairfield in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, advancing to a second-round matchup against No. 3 seed Ohio State. The game, played at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, showcased standout performances from key players, with junior guard Hannah Hidalgo leading the charge. Hidalgo broke the program record for steals in a single NCAA Tournament game with eight, while also contributing 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and five steals, flirting with a quadruple-double. The Irish built an early lead, outscoring Fairfield 17-12 in the first quarter. Hidalgo and Cassandre Prosper combined for eight of the first 10 points, with Hidalgo scoring seven alone in the opening frame. Notre Dame extended its advantage in the second half, pushing the lead to double digits by halftime. Despite Fairfield cutting the deficit to seven points at 29-22 with two minutes left in the half, the Irish responded with seven of the final nine points to take a 36-24 lead into the break. Hidalgo continued her dominance in the third quarter, scoring 13 points and adding seven rebounds, five steals, and five assists by halftime. The Irish took control of the game, outscoring Fairfield 11-2 in the third quarter to build a 21-point lead. Notre Dame led by as many as 23 points in the third and maintained a 19-point advantage heading into the final 10 minutes. The Stags managed only 17 points in the fourth quarter, allowing Notre Dame to cruise to the 79-60 victory. Notre Dame’s performance was highlighted by its dominance in the paint, outscoring Fairfield 44-22.#hannah_hidalgo #notre_dame_fighting_irish #schottenstein_center #cassandre_prosper #iyana_moore
