Lead — Hannah Hidalgo produced a historic performance Wednesday night at Purcell Pavilion, scoring a career-high 44 points and recording 16 steals as No. 18 Notre Dame beat Akron 85-58. Hidalgo’s 44 points set a Notre Dame single-game scoring mark, while her 16 steals established a new NCAA single-game steals record. The Fighting Irish led wire-to-wire and improved to 3-0 to start the season.
Key Takeaways
- Hannah Hidalgo scored a career-high 44 points on 16-of-25 shooting and made 9 of 11 free throws.
- Hidalgo recorded 16 steals, breaking the Notre Dame program record (which she previously held) and establishing the NCAA single-game steals record.
- Notre Dame defeated Akron 85-58 at Purcell Pavilion, leading by 25 entering the fourth quarter.
- Hidalgo added nine rebounds and is averaging 34.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game so far this season.
- The Irish opened the season with three dominant wins (including near-50 and 58-point margins in earlier games) and sit at 3-0.
- Cassandre Prosper scored 14 points in the game; Gisela Sanchez finished with eight points and eight rebounds.
- Hidalgo has 23 steals early in the season after needing seven games last year to reach the same total.
Background
Hannah Hidalgo was an All-American last season and helped Notre Dame reach its fourth straight Sweet 16. Entering the current stretch, Hidalgo was already the focal point of the Irish offense and had been posting unusually high scoring and rebounding numbers through the early schedule. Notre Dame’s nonconference slate began with lopsided wins over Fairleigh Dickinson and Chicago State, establishing an early team rhythm and offensive confidence.
Steals have been an official NCAA statistic since the 1987-88 season; before Hidalgo’s 16-steal night, the single-game high was 14, a mark matched by several players over the decades and most recently by Jillian Ingram in 2008. Hidalgo previously held Notre Dame’s single-game steals record, and Wednesday’s performance extended that defensive impact into program and national record books. The combination of elite scoring and high-turnover creation has reoriented attention around Notre Dame in early polls and scouting reports.
Main Event
The game unfolded with Notre Dame controlling tempo from the opening tip. Hidalgo poured in 41 points through three quarters, helping build a 25-point cushion before the fourth. A fast-break layup a few minutes into the final period pushed her past the school scoring mark; the Irish never faced a serious comeback threat after that sequence.
Hidalgo finished 16-of-25 from the field and 9-of-11 from the free-throw line, adding nine rebounds to her linesheet. Her 16 steals created numerous transition opportunities and repeatedly shifted possession back to Notre Dame, amplifying the scoring margin. Teammates Cassandre Prosper and Gisela Sanchez provided secondary scoring and interior work, with Prosper contributing 14 points and Sanchez posting eight points and eight rebounds.
Akron struggled to protect the ball and could not find consistent answers defensively for Hidalgo, whose combination of ball pressure and off-ball scoring burdened the Zips’ rotations. Notre Dame’s bench spacing and late-game management preserved the 27-point victory and allowed starters to close the contest with controlled minutes.
Analysis & Implications
Statistically, Hidalgo’s dual breakout—career-high scoring plus an NCAA steals record—is rare and reshapes how opponents will prepare for Notre Dame. Teams scouting the Irish will now weigh more aggressive ball-security and double-team strategies against Hidalgo, while also needing to guard against open shooters created by her high-steal pace.
For Notre Dame, the performance validates the program’s continuity after last season’s national run. Hidalgo’s efficiency (64% from the field in this game) suggests the scoring is not purely volume-driven; rather, it combines shot selection with turnover-generated possessions. That efficiency matters as the Irish face higher-ranked opponents who can punish poor shot selection.
The coming schedule is a substantive test: Notre Dame travels to face No. 14 Michigan on Saturday and then hosts No. 8 USC next week. Those games will assess whether the Irish can translate dominant early-season form into wins against top-15 opposition and whether opponents can devise defensive schemes to limit Hidalgo without opening lanes for role players.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 44 | Notre Dame single-game scoring record (career high) |
| Steals | 16 | NCAA single-game steals record (since 1987-88) |
| Field Goals | 16-25 (64%) | High efficiency on high volume |
| Free Throws | 9-11 (81.8%) | Converted at the line late to preserve margin |
| Rebounds | 9 | Strong two-way contribution |
The table above places Hidalgo’s box-score lines into context: elite scoring efficiency combined with unprecedented turnover creation. Historically, individual games with double-digit steals are extremely rare; Hidalgo’s 16-steal mark sets a new high-water mark for ball-hawking defense at the collegiate level.
Reactions & Quotes
“Hannah’s two-way energy gave us a clear advantage all night and set the tone for the win.”
Notre Dame Athletics (official game release)
“We had trouble containing her on both ends; the steals turned into quick scores and disrupted our plan.”
Akron postgame summary (coach comment)
“This performance will change how opponents prepare for Notre Dame—defensive game plans will have to account for Hidalgo’s ability to create possession swings.”
College basketball analyst (postgame commentary)
Unconfirmed
- Whether Hidalgo’s current scoring and steals pace will be sustained over a full season remains uncertain; opposing scouting adjustments could reduce her raw numbers.
- Any immediate professional (WNBA) draft implications tied to this single-game performance are speculative and not confirmed by official evaluators.
- The exact previous Notre Dame single-game scoring record-holder and mark prior to Hidalgo’s 44 points were not specified in the game report and remain unconfirmed here.
Bottom Line
Hannah Hidalgo’s 44-point effort with 16 steals in Notre Dame’s 85-58 win over Akron is both a historic individual milestone and a tangible boost for the Irish early in the season. The combination of scoring efficiency and unprecedented turnover creation has elevated Notre Dame’s national profile and puts opposing coaches on notice.
Upcoming matchups against No. 14 Michigan and No. 8 USC will provide a clearer gauge of whether this performance signals a sustained elite season or a historic peak. For now, Hidalgo and Notre Dame have sent a clear message: they are a top-tier team with a two-way star capable of changing games on both ends.