Notre Dame women’s basketball star Hannah Hidalgo delivered a historic performance on Wednesday night, scoring a program-record 44 points and setting an NCAA record with 16 steals in a dominant 85-58 win over Akron. Her all-around display, which included nine rebounds and four assists, cemented one of the most remarkable individual games in college basketball history.
Hidalgo’s offensive explosion saw her break Notre Dame’s single-game scoring record, previously shared by WNBA standouts Jewell Loyd and Ruth Riley, while playing just 27 minutes. She shot an efficient 16-of-25 from the field and 9-of-11 from the free-throw line, demonstrating remarkable accuracy despite her high volume of attempts. The junior guard scored the first 14 points of the second quarter alone, showcasing her ability to take over games at will. Her 44 points represented more than half of Notre Dame’s total output and nearly matched Akron’s entire team score.
Defensively, Hidalgo’s 16 steals shattered the NCAA single-game record that had stood since 2008, when Georgia Tech’s Jillian Ingram recorded 14 steals. This extraordinary defensive effort accounted for nearly half of Akron’s 38 turnovers and highlighted her exceptional anticipation and quick hands. The performance broke her own Notre Dame steals record and established a new benchmark for Division I women’s basketball, all achieved in less than three full quarters of action.
Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey, who has been associated with the program for 23 seasons as both player and coach, called it the best individual performance she has ever witnessed. “She played with such aggression the entire time she was on the floor,” Ivey told reporters. “It’s pretty amazing what I just witnessed.” The coach emphasized that Hidalgo’s intensity set the tone for the entire team, particularly on the defensive end where her pressure created numerous transition opportunities.
Despite the historic nature of her achievement, Hidalgo remained characteristically humble in her post-game comments. “I think it was just a regular game today,” she said. “I got up, went to class and got in the gym.” Her teammates celebrated the milestone by dousing her with water in the locker room, with senior guard Cassandre Prosper leading the impromptu celebration. Prosper, who contributed 14 points in the victory, praised Hidalgo’s leadership and energy.
The victory improved Notre Dame to 3-0 this season, with all wins coming by substantial margins following earlier blowouts of Fairleigh Dickinson and Chicago State. While Hidalgo carried the scoring load, the team showed balance with Gisela Sanchez adding eight points and eight rebounds. The performance continues Hidalgo’s torrid start to the season, where she’s averaging 34.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.7 steals through three games, building on her All-American campaign from last season.
Looking ahead, the Fighting Irish face their first major tests of the season with upcoming games against No. 14 Michigan on Saturday and No. 8 USC next week. These matchups will determine if Notre Dame can maintain its early momentum against higher-caliber competition. If Hidalgo can sustain anything approaching this level of play, the Irish appear well-positioned to challenge for ACC supremacy and make another deep NCAA tournament run.
The historic night not only solidifies Hidalgo’s status as one of college basketball’s premier players but also signals Notre Dame’s potential as a national contender. Her ability to dominate games on both ends of the floor provides the foundation for what could be a special season in South Bend, with professional scouts undoubtedly taking note of her record-breaking capabilities.
