Saturday saw a surprising outcome in women’s college basketball as No. 6 Notre Dame defeated No. 3 USC on the road, scoring 74-61.
The game was filled with stars and sold-out, with celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Michael B. Jordan in attendance. Both former and current basketball royalty, including Candace Parker and Cameron Brink from the Los Angeles Sparks, were also present to witness this intense matchup. Despite the gloomy weather in Los Angeles, the game was a thrilling spectacle with standout performances from both teams.
Hannah Hidalgo led the Irish to victory with 24 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and five steals. Olivia Miles also contributed significantly with 20 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. On the Trojans’ side, JuJu Watkins stood out with 24 points, six rebounds, and five assists, but lacked support from her bench players. Despite efforts from Kiki Iriafen and Talia von Oelhoffen, their shooting accuracy was not enough to secure a win.
Now, Notre Dame remains undefeated at 5-0 after a remarkable road win, while the Trojans at 4-1 are left wondering about their future in the AP rankings.
Key to Notre Dame’s Victory
Hidalgo played a crucial role in every play, scoring early points and setting up her teammates. Notre Dame dominated the first quarter with a 20-10 lead.
Despite a strong start from USC in the second quarter, Notre Dame maintained their composure. Liatu King and Kate Koval made valuable contributions to maintain the lead at halftime, 35-28.
The third quarter was evenly matched, but Miles sealed the win for Notre Dame in the final period. A strong start and key plays from Miles widened the gap, leaving USC unable to mount a comeback.
Future Outlook for USC and Notre Dame
While USC remains a top contender, they need to address teamwork and execution issues to compete at a higher level. Watkins lacked support from her teammates, leading to Notre Dame’s victory. Notre Dame’s depth and balance proved crucial in securing the win.
With the season still young, USC has time to improve before conference play begins. Notre Dame, on the other hand, passed a tough test and aims to continue their winning streak.
