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
Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Advances to Sweet 16 in NCAA Tournament Notre Dame women’s basketball has reached the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, set to face No. 2 seed Vanderbilt in a Sweet 16 matchup. The Irish will aim to extend their tournament success after defeating Ohio State 83-73 in the second round, a game that effectively served as a home contest for the Buckeyes. This matchup presents a significant challenge for Notre Dame, as Vanderbilt is a formidable opponent. The game carries high stakes for the Irish, who seek to reaffirm their status as one of the nation’s top programs. The game began with a tightly contested first quarter, as both teams struggled to find their rhythm. Notre Dame and Vanderbilt combined for just three field goals in the first 4:29, with neither team able to establish a clear advantage. Notre Dame finally broke the scoreless tie with a layup from Hannah Hidalgo, but the pace of scoring remained slow. Vanderbilt’s Galvana ended the first quarter’s scoring drought with a basket, while Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo continued to dominate the ball, recording two steals. The first quarter ended with both teams tied at 6-6, highlighting the early struggles of both squads. As the game progressed into the second quarter, Notre Dame began to assert control. The Irish capitalized on Vanderbilt’s turnovers, which totaled 11 by halftime, to create scoring opportunities. A key moment came when Cowles converted a layup under the rim, breaking a scoreless stretch for Notre Dame. Despite Vanderbilt’s efforts to respond, the Irish maintained their composure, with M. Blakes adding to the scoring with two free throws. By the end of the second quarter, Notre Dame led 15-11, showcasing their ability to convert turnovers into points.#hannah_hidalgo #notre_dame #ncaa_tournament #vanderbilt #m_blakes
Hannah Hidalgo calls Mikayla Blakes 'Caitlin-type of level' scorer FORT WORTH, Texas — Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo described Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes as a scorer operating at a level comparable to Caitlin Clark, highlighting Blakes’ ability to score from all areas of the court. Ahead of their matchup in the Fort Worth 1 Regional semifinal, Hidalgo emphasized Blakes’ versatility during a pregame news conference. “The way she’s able to put the ball in the hoop, it’s like Caitlin-type of level,” Hidalgo said. “She can score on all three levels, whether that’s getting all the way to the basket, her midrange, or her three. Of course, that’s always tough to guard.” Blakes, who leads the nation in scoring with an average of 27 points per game, is on track for SEC Player of the Year honors. Hidalgo, ranked third nationally in scoring at 25.2 points per game, is a dual threat for Notre Dame, leading the nation in steals and earning ACC Player and Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Both players have faced each other before, with Blakes recalling their high school rivalry in New Jersey, where Hidalgo’s team emerged victorious. “It was a show. Two dynamic guards. I had to guard her the whole game,” Hidalgo said. “I think just her ability to do what she does, the things that she brings to her team is so different.” The matchup between Blakes and Hidalgo is significant, as it marks their first college encounter. Despite media focus on their individual skills, both players downplayed the personal aspect. “It’s not about me versus Mikayla,” Hidalgo said. “It’s about Notre Dame versus Vanderbilt. It’s really just the way that we’re going to win the game tomorrow is by playing together like we’ve been doing the past couple of months.#hannah_hidalgo #notre_dame #caitlin_clark #mikayla_blakes #fort_worth_1_regional
Notre Dame Faces Duke in ACC Women’s Semifinal The Notre Dame women’s basketball team is in a strong position as it prepares to face the No. 13 Duke Blue Devils in the ACC Tournament semifinals. The Irish have won their last seven games, showcasing a resurgence after a challenging stretch earlier in the season. Their performance has positioned them as a contender for a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament, with hopes of advancing to the championship game. The matchup against Duke presents a significant challenge, particularly with the Blue Devils’ forward Toby Fournier expected to test Notre Dame’s frontcourt defense. The game promises to be competitive, with both teams bringing strong energy and skill to the court. Live updates and highlights will provide ongoing coverage of the action as the Irish aim to continue their momentum. The first quarter saw Duke taking an early lead, scoring the first six points of the game. Notre Dame struggled initially, with Hannah Hidalgo missing her first two shots at the rim. Duke’s early dominance was compounded by Notre Dame’s turnovers, which reached five by the end of the first quarter. However, the Irish showed signs of improvement as they went on a 7-0 run toward the end of the first quarter, indicating a potential shift in their performance. By the end of the second quarter, Notre Dame had managed to cut into Duke’s lead, with a 15-17 scoreline. The Irish’s defensive aggression increased, leading to nine turnovers for Duke. Despite efforts to close the gap, Duke extended their lead to double digits by halftime. Key moments included Hannah Hidalgo’s layup and a defensive play by Prosper that nearly disrupted Duke’s momentum. However, Duke capitalized on their opportunities, including a three-point play that solidified their advantage.#duke_blue_devils #hannah_hidalgo #notre_dame #toby_fournier #prosper
Irish Take Win Streak Into ACC Semis Versus Duke DULUTH, Ga. — The No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, riding a seven-game winning streak, will face No. 1 Duke in the ACC Tournament semifinals on Saturday, March 7, with a chance to advance to the title game. The matchup, set for noon ET at the Gas South Arena in Duluth, Ga., will be broadcast on ESPN2 with Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli calling the action. Notre Dame secured its place in the semifinals by defeating NC State in the quarterfinals on Friday, 81-63. The Irish dominated the Wolfpack, with Hannah Hidalgo and Iyana Moore combining for 45 points. Moore added nine rebounds, tying her career-high in rebounds, while Hidalgo recorded her sixth consecutive game with 25 or more points, the most among ACC players this century. The junior forward also matched her career high with 20 points in the tournament game, marking her sixth ACC Tournament contest with double-digit scoring, tied for the most by any player in the league’s history. Moore’s performance was highlighted by her four three-pointers against NC State, her 10th game this season with four or more three-pointers. Cassandre Prosper, named ACC’s Most Improved Player, contributed 13 points in the win, extending her streak of 24 games with 10 or more points. Notre Dame’s victory over NC State also marked its fourth consecutive win against the Wolfpack in the ACC Tournament, maintaining a perfect 4-0 record in such matchups. The Irish’s matchup against Duke carries historical significance, as Notre Dame is 19-6 all-time against the Blue Devils, including a 4-1 record in ACC Tournament play. The teams have met in the tournament before, with Notre Dame’s recent success adding momentum to its pursuit of the title.#acc_tournament #notre_dame_fighting_irish #duke_blue_devils #gas_south_arena #hannah_hidalgo
