Hidalgo’s Historic Performance Propels Irish to Victory Over Akron

Bassyonni

ago 2 hours

In a remarkable outing, Hannah Hidalgo led the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to a decisive 85-58 victory over the Akron Zips. Her performance on November 8, 2023, will be etched in the records of Notre Dame history.

Hidalgo’s Historic Performance

Hidalgo broke multiple records during the game. She scored an impressive 44 points, surpassing the previous program record of 41 held by Ruth Riley and Jewell Loyd. Additionally, Hidalgo recorded 16 steals, making her the NCAA D-I all-time leader for steals in a single game, surpassing the prior record of 14.

The junior’s scoring efficiency was notable. She connected on 16 of 25 shots from the field, hit three three-pointers, and went 9 for 11 from the free-throw line. Her contributions also included nine rebounds and two assists.

Game Overview

The Irish established an early lead, jumping to a 14-4 advantage thanks to a strong defensive effort. Hidalgo’s four steals in the first five minutes contributed to eight quick points for her team. By the end of the first quarter, Notre Dame led 25-12, with Hidalgo contributing 14 points, five rebounds, five steals, and two assists.

Hidalgo continued her dominance in the second quarter, scoring Notre Dame’s first 14 points. At halftime, the Irish held a 48-34 lead. Iyana Moore also made her presence felt, scoring five points in the closing stages of the half.

The second half saw the Irish maintain their momentum, outscoring Akron 22-11 in the third quarter. They extended their lead to 70-45 before finishing the game with a final score of 85-58.

Record-Setting Achievements

Hidalgo’s 44 points set a new Purcell Pavilion record, previously held by Jessica Shepard with 39.
She became the first D-I women’s player to exceed 40 points in the 2023-24 season.
The team’s 30 steals in the game marked the second most in program history.

Team Performance and Statistics

The Fighting Irish improved to a 3-0 record this season, matching the highest points total through three games in program history with 299 points. This victory also marked their 17th consecutive win at home in non-conference play. Notably, the team has recorded double-digit steals in every game thus far this season.

Upcoming Challenges

Next, the Fighting Irish will face the No. 14 Michigan Wolverines in the Shamrock Classic held in Detroit. The match is scheduled to tip off at 4 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBC.