Behind a massive performance from sophomore Hannah Hidalgo, No. 8 Notre Dame handed No. 2 UConn their first loss of the season, defeating their third Top-5 team 79-68 on Thursday.
Despite injuries impacting Notre Dame’s depth, the Irish maintained the lead for almost the entire 40 minutes of the game.
Notre Dame’s defense held UConn to a dismal 18.8% three-point shooting rate, with UConn only making three out of 16 attempts from beyond the arc. In contrast, Notre Dame made 55% of their 18 three-point attempts.
UConn’s standout Paige Bueckers led her team with 25 points, but the absence of guard Azzi Fudd due to a minor knee injury was felt. Freshman forward Sarah Strong contributed 14 points despite early foul trouble, but UConn couldn’t muster enough key plays to defeat the Irish.
After the loss, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma emphasized the need for more players to step up beyond Bueckers to make an impact in games like this.
Notre Dame has now won three consecutive games against UConn for the first time since 2012-13.
Red-hot Hidalgo ignites Notre Dame victory
Star guard Hidalgo dominated the game against UConn, nearly posting a triple-double with 29 points, 20 rebounds, and eight assists, including a career-high six three-pointers. In total, Hidalgo contributed to 48 of Notre Dame’s 79 points.
UConn’s Bueckers praised Hidalgo’s skill and energy, acknowledging her as a formidable opponent. Forward Liatu King also secured a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while guard Olivia Miles added 16 points.
Notre Dame’s backcourt tandem of Miles and Hidalgo continues to showcase their talent, drawing praise from Auriemma for their versatility.
Overall, Notre Dame remains a strong competitor, with wins over top-ranked teams like USC, Texas, and now UConn, marking them as one of the few teams with a trio of Top-5 victories before January in the last 25 years.
How to watch Sunday’s Top-25 NCAA basketball
While UConn and Notre Dame face lesser opponents, other Top-25 matchups are set for Sunday. No. 21 Iowa will take on undefeated No. 17 Michigan State, airing on BTN at 12 PM ET. Later, No. 25 Georgia Tech will play No. 14 UNC at 2 PM ET on ACCN.
Additionally, No. 22 NC State will face Louisville at 1 PM ET on ABC, in a battle between two teams looking to secure wins against ranked opponents and maintain their Top-25 rankings.
