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
